Council requests more information on developer’s revised plans for 57 ‘Build to Rent’ apartments
The residents of Trinity Gardens and Georges Street say they are as determined and united as ever in their opposition to plans by local building company Urban Life to construct a seven story apartment block in the area.
In September 2020, just weeks after a public meeting was held on the green at Trinity Gardens Urban Life withdrew their original application which was for a 65 apartment development on the site varying in height from two to seven storeys.
But in April they made another very similar application for a residential development also varying in height up to seven storeys but this time for 57 ‘Build to Rent’ apartments.
The new proposal for the development includes a new vehicular entrance off the local access road to Trinity Gardens, an ESB substation, landscaping, bin storage, bicycle storage and 17 car parking spaces but the residents say they are not impressed with the tweaking of the plans and are as resolute as ever in their opposition.
The Planning section of Louth Count Council also has reservations about the scheme and have sought clarification on numerous aspects of the application.
Among their requests is for clarification of adherence to legislation governing daylight levels in the living room/kitchens of the apartments and assurance that “appropriate residential amenities and facilities” are provided for future residents.
The Council received numerous submissions from members of the public which included photographs and video footage of bats in the area. Because bats are a protected species, the Council requested a detailed survey to be carried out by a qualified person to ascertain if there are bats in the area and if so, how many and of which species.
Another serious issue on which the Council sought clarification was the provision of access for service vehicles such as bin lorries and delivery trucks. They said that there was a lack of detail in the plan and that the long reversing distance for these vehicles could result in a hazard.
Other issues raised by the Council include the provision of electric car charging points, waste segregation and recycling facilities and they also expressed concern about the capacity of existing water and foul water waste facilities.
Residents’ spokesperson Teresa McKenna told Drogheda Life that they were “100 per cent as resolute as ever” in their opposition to the development as it is currently presented.
“The Council has obviously read the submissions from environmental groups about bats etcetera but one thing they haven’t addressed or sought further information about is the overall height of the development and how it will impact on people’s privacy in Trinity Gardens and Georges Street” she said.
“The height of the building is and always has been our major problem and we can’t lose sight of that.
“We would welcome development on the site but it must be done in a sympathetic manner to the neighbours and the area as a whole and a seven-storey monolith is certainly not doing that!”
