Concerns.

Over 450 people participated in the objections submitted to the Planning Department although they were not objecting to the actual development of the land in principal.

Main objections are:

• 5 storeys is too high and out of character.
• High density which includes 99 residential units.
• Social segregation by design layout.
• Loss of light and privacy to Bailis Village
• Removal of the established woodland.
• Increased road traffic from 200+ vehicles.
• Non-compliance with zoning regulations.
• Excessive strain placed on the local Services and Amenities

Myself and my partner (Milginte), along with The Bailis Village Management Company and the vast majority of the residents & owners of the complex are very surprised and angry at how apparently flippant the council has been in its response to our legitimate concerns. We would like to get the Planning process gaps in Meath County Council highlighted to everyone and would like to thank all of the other local communities for their support up to this point.

We intend to fight this proposed development all the way through the courts if necessary, but we hope an Bord Pleanala do the right thing and over-turn a poor decision by Meath county Council in approving this development.

"These screenshots of 2 specific points blatantly show that the council have not taken our objections seriously."

The planned development is being built on land zoned for mixed development. The developer and council are maintaining that there is no demand for office/shop space in Johnstown, even though there is not a single unit available for rent anywhere in Johnstown.

Considering that there are no Dental offices or Health clinics etc in Johnstown makes a mockery of that claim. The Council has not proven there is no demand. It is obvious that the Council is taking the word of the developer over the feedback from the local community.

The Councils assertion that there would be minimal overshadowing of Block A, Block B or Block C in Bailis Village is absurd. How can you build a 5 story and a 4 story building less than 15 metres from 3 existing buildings and their amenity areas (On the South side of the existing buildings) and suggest that the new blocks will have minimal impact on the existing buildings and their residents. By my own calculations, using the data provided by the developer, Block B bailis village will see a 69% reduction in direct sunlight for up to 6 months a year. The fact that the council accepts the developers assertion that this is minimal makes a mockery of the Planners job role.

The Council has made no reference to right to privacy in its approval letter to the developer. Again, this is antagonistic to the residents of Bailis village who will be literally facing directly into the new apartments.

"The rights of the residents are not even been considered."

What happens now.

A large group of concerned residents and local County Councillors (Sinead Burke, Francis Dean, Jim Holloway and Wayne Forde) attended a rapidly arranged Community Meeting chaired by Alan Lawes at 7pm Thurs Feb 2nd at O'Briens, Johnstown.

The discussion revolved around the planning process and the apparent lack of attention that their objections received.

Communication with the Council Planning Department was criticised where apart from the required notices of receipt and final decision there appears to have been very little reference in the report to the objections made by the community.

The developer has provided all the information legally required to allow the Planning Department to be sufficiently satisfied with the scheme and Grant Conditional Planning Approval. Their job is effectively done at this stage of the building process.

Provided the developer conforms to the conditions of the approval we could soon see the site begin transformation.

The Council have granted Conditional Planning Approval.

The Johnstown Community V Hunt Capital and Bad Planning are taking their objection to An Bord Pleanála.