Kerry County Council grants permission for 259-home scheme at Countess Road, Dromhale (townland), Co. Kerry

In context

It is one of 58 housing scheme applications Kerry County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 1,577 nationally. Of the 3,037 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 79% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 5 August 2026. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues. The applicant sought a 10-year permission, which sets how long they have to start the development.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Kerry County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

10-Year Planning Permission for a Large-Scale Residential Development (LRD) for development at this site Countess Road, Dromhale (townland), Killarney, Co. Kerry. The development will consist of: The construction of a residential development of 259 no. residential units with ancillary single storey creche, landscaping and all associated site development works. The proposed development includes the demolition of 2 no. existing two-storey semi-detached dwelling houses and an existing ruinous structure on the site and construction of 103 no. two storey houses (3-bed units), comprising of 27 no. terraced units, 62 no. end of terrace units, and 14 no. side entry units, 82 no. courtyard apartment units over 2 no. storeys (42 no. 1-bed units, 40 no. 2-bed units), and 74 no. apartment units (34 no. 1-bed units, 40 no. 2-bed units) in 2 no. part 3 storey and part 4 storey blocks. Vehicular access to the proposed development will be via one entrance from Countess Road (L3904) to the north, with the entrance design including improvement works on the public road inclusive of a raised crossing point. The design includes pedestrian/cycle infrastructure to/from Countess Road and internally within the development site and to adjoining areas. Ancillary site works include car parking, provision of bicycle parking and bin storage facilities serving the proposed apartment/courtyard apartment buildings and creche, 2 no. ESB substations, landscaping, water services and drainage infrastructure (including foul and storm network upgrades in Countess Grove), and all associated site development works. The proposed development also provides for the demolition of existing site boundary walls along Countess Road. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application. LRD Website: www.CountessRoadLRD.ie