Call for meeting over planning decision

Tipperary Co Council has been asked to call a meeting over the refusal of planning permission for a development of 22 residential units in Templemore.

An Bord Pleanála refused permission for the the development, planned by Templemore Voluntary Housing Association CLG, in a decision made just before Christmas. The proposal involved demolishing a number of buildings on Main Street and constructing a three/two-storey building comprising 12 apartments. Beyond the apartment building was to be row of two detached terraced blocks containing 10 dwellings.

Tipperary Co Council granted conditional planning permission for the development in October 2023, despite receiving 57 submissions. A range of concerns were raised, from the scale and layout of the proposed development, to the impact it may have had on the town park. The view was taken that a more appropriate use for the site should be found - such as a digital hub or commercial centre - and that new residential development would be better suited outside the primary retail areas of the town centre.

Several appellants brought the case to An Bord Pleanála, which overturned the council's decision, finding that the proposal would be “out of character with its surroundings”. The board also considered that the voluntary housing plan would “seriously injure the residential amenity of neighbouring residential properties by its prominence, proximity to the boundary and over-shadowing”.

‘WE NEED HOUSES’

The matter was raised at last week's meeting of the council by Cllr Michael Smith. He had made a representation to An Bord Pleanála, in which he welcomed the development of housing in the town centre but outlined a number of criteria that would have to be met.

Cllr Smith expressed disappointment with the board's decision and called on the council to find a way of rectifying the matter. “We don't want to lose this opportunity for Templemore,” Cllr Smith said, asking the council to facilitate a meeting between Templemore Voluntary Housing Association and all of the concerned stakeholders.

Cllr Eddie Moran had also made a representation along similar grounds. “I'm very disappointed that this is not going ahead,” he told last week's meeting. “We need houses in Templemore. We have to sort this out.”

Director of Services for Planning & Development Sharon Kennedy shared the councillors' disappointment. She said a lot of consideration had gone into the Templemore plan, which was to be funded by the Department of Housing.

Ms Kennedy agreed to hold a meeting and said it should happen sooner rather than later. The council wanted to get to the point where a new application could be submitted, she said.