The residents of Trinity Gardens and Georges Street have initiated judicial review proceedings over the granting of planning permission for a high rise block of apartments on the Swan Yard site adjacent to their homes.
The residents were stunned recently when, despite many appeals and submissions, Louth County Council granted planning permission for an apartment complex consisting of 57 ‘Build to Rent’ apartments in a block ranging in height from three to seven storeys with only 17 car parking spaces.
During the previous three years or so the residents had campaigned against the application saying that, if it was allowed to proceed, the development will overlook their houses and cause all sorts of traffic and other problems in the area.
This campaign has been widely supported in Drogheda and when a motion proposed by Councillor Pio Smith and seconded by Joanna Byrne looking to have the entrance walls to Trinity Gardens added to the Council’s list of protected structures in their County Development Plan it was supported unanimously.
Whilst they still stand by their previous assertions about the unsuitability of the development on the site so close to their homes, the residents are confident that the fact that the walls at the entrance are protected structures will mean that the development cannot proceed.
Based on the advice of their legal advisor, Fred Logue, who has offered to take the case on their behalf, the residents are very hopeful that a legal review will overturn this latest decision.
“We are trying to protect the common good and to ensure that good planning is implemented” said Residents spokesperson Dom Gradwell.
“Of course we understand that there is a housing shortage and we are not against development on that site but it must be a suitable development and common sense tells us that this proposed development is totally inappropriate for this site.”
“The Residents Association have initiated a Judicial Review of the decision to grant the permission to Urbanlife for the Swan Yard development.
“This decision to proceed with the Judicial Review has not been taken lightly and we are being well instructed by Fred Logue who has an excellent record of success.
“There are several grounds in our action, but a key one is the decision to demolish and rebuild the protected structure at the entrance to the estate.
“There are also issues regarding design standards environmental concerns along with some legal arguments in relation to the An Bord Pleanála processes.
“The case has already been mentioned in the High Court and our legal advisors tell us that the process could take up to nine months.”
