November 2019
November 2019
Many of us moved to Johnstown attracted by the semi rural environment. Once upon a time the tree lined avenue of Metges Road gave us a sense of nature on our doorsteps. Future residents will never see the same sight and Johnstown will soon look no different to more urban residential areas with wall to wall bricks and cars.
Many of us moved to Johnstown attracted by the semi rural environment. Once upon a time the tree lined avenue of Metges Road gave us a sense of nature on our doorsteps. Future residents will never see the same sight and Johnstown will soon look no different to more urban residential areas with wall to wall bricks and cars.
The objections to every development which involves replacing the wooded area with concrete is more complicated than simply not wishing to see the trees go. The land is central to the area and therefore highly prized and whatever goes there will be a significant landmark. It is therefore essential that residents challenge every proposal to ensure that it is the best that can be had. Any development will become a significant landmark which defines the character of the area. To date few would say that what has been proposed comes anywhere close to reaching their high expectations and instead they all lean heavily towards impractical overdevelopment driven by greed.
The objections to every development which involves replacing the wooded area with concrete is more complicated than simply not wishing to see the trees go. The land is central to the area and therefore highly prized and whatever goes there will be a significant landmark. It is therefore essential that residents challenge every proposal to ensure that it is the best that can be had. Any development will become a significant landmark which defines the character of the area. To date few would say that what has been proposed comes anywhere close to reaching their high expectations and instead they all lean heavily towards impractical overdevelopment driven by greed.
Development Approved
Development Approved
Despite community objections An Bord Pleanala recently granted conditional planning permission for the Metges Road Apartment Block development.
Despite community objections An Bord Pleanala recently granted conditional planning permission for the Metges Road Apartment Block development.
Previous development permissions were refused citing (amongst other items) over development of the space so we were confused and surprised since this was the largest design ever proposed and it has been given approval.
Previous development permissions were refused citing (amongst other items) over development of the space so we were confused and surprised since this was the largest design ever proposed and it has been given approval.
To discover more we met with those who have been the most active in opposing the development.
To discover more we met with those who have been the most active in opposing the development.
Interview with Cllr Alan Lawes and Cal Mooney, Director of the Bailis Village Management Co,
Interview with Cllr Alan Lawes and Cal Mooney, Director of the Bailis Village Management Co,
Alternatively
Alternatively
For those preferring to view via YouTube
For those preferring to view via YouTube
The Headlines
The Headlines
An Appeal is unaffordable
An Appeal is unaffordable
Unlike normal planning applications which go before the Meath County Council Planning Department this particular scheme has more than 100 homes and was therefore eligible to form a Strategic Housing Development application via An Bord Pleanala.
Unlike normal planning applications which go before the Meath County Council Planning Department this particular scheme has more than 100 homes and was therefore eligible to form a Strategic Housing Development application via An Bord Pleanala.
This means there is no planning appeal body other than taking it to court which costs thousands of euro and if lost could result in the additional costs of the court fees and the defendant's legal costs too.
This means there is no planning appeal body other than taking it to court which costs thousands of euro and if lost could result in the additional costs of the court fees and the defendant's legal costs too.
Public Protests in July and August 2019
Planning Conditions
Planning Conditions
An Bord Planeala imposed a planning condition to remove 70 car parking spaces which reduces the site capacity by around 30%.
An Bord Planeala imposed a planning condition to remove 70 car parking spaces which reduces the site capacity by around 30%.
Given that 226 car spaces were planned for the 104 apartments (1,2 and 3 bed) together with 30% space for a creche and other activities someone is going to be without car parking space.
Given that 226 car spaces were planned for the 104 apartments (1,2 and 3 bed) together with 30% space for a creche and other activities someone is going to be without car parking space.
In locations well connected by alternative public transport and with sufficient public facilities nearby it would not be an issue to the developer or future residents. The majority of Johnstown residents would however not be attracted to accomodation without one car space let alone two, or any for visitors, since we do not have access to the train, Dart, there are complaints about the reliability of the Dublin bus service and the local bus service is not as frequent as those in cities.
In locations well connected by alternative public transport and with sufficient public facilities nearby it would not be an issue to the developer or future residents. The majority of Johnstown residents would however not be attracted to accomodation without one car space let alone two, or any for visitors, since we do not have access to the train, Dart, there are complaints about the reliability of the Dublin bus service and the local bus service is not as frequent as those in cities.
What Will Happen Next?
What Will Happen Next?
The design does have planning permission and the developer might proceed to offer a large proportion of accommodation without any car parking spaces. This would likely result in neighbouring estates hosting those vehicles on their streets.
The design does have planning permission and the developer might proceed to offer a large proportion of accommodation without any car parking spaces. This would likely result in neighbouring estates hosting those vehicles on their streets.
Some alternatives:
Some alternatives:
- By significantly lowering the number of apartments to around 65 (not the 104 as planned) the developer would need to re apply for planning permission via Meath County Council.
- Reapply to An Bord Pleanala with a new design to accommodate 70 more car spaces at basement level.
- Abandon plans for this development and, as proposed by Councillors 23/10/19, allow Meath County Council the opportunity to purchase the land as a park / playground / community centre site.
We're not sure what is actually going to happen but we're sure that the community will be watching closely.
We're not sure what is actually going to happen but we're sure that the community will be watching closely.
The Planning Application can be viewed here https://www.johnstownshd.com
The Planning Application can be viewed here https://www.johnstownshd.com
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