Kildare County Council refuses permission for 295-home scheme at Ruanbeg, Kildare & Collaghknock, Co. Kildare

In context

It is one of 100 housing scheme applications Kildare County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 1,638 nationally. Of the 3,067 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 78% 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 9 November 2023. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

Large Scale Residential Development at a site of c.10.3ha. The development lands are located to the north of the Dublin Road (R445), east/northeast of Heffernan Tyres and Ruanbeg Manor Estate and southeast of Coolaghknock Estate. The application site includes works along the R445 and at Ruanbeg Park and Ruanbeg Avenue. The proposed development will comprise the construction of 295 no. residential units along with a two storey creche facility measuring c.472.7sqm. The residential units will include 15 no. single storey, semi-detached/terraced houses (12 no. 1 beds and 3 no. 2-beds) provided as "age-friendly housing". 206 no. two storey, semi-detached/terraced (10 no. 2 beds, 160 no. 3 beds 36 no. 4 beds) 74 no. three storey duplexes/apartments (37 no. 2 beds, 37 no. 3 beds) arranged within 6 no. blocks. All residential units will be provided with associated private gardens/balconies/terraces facing to the north/south/east/west. New vehicular and pedestrian/cyclist accesses will be via Dublin Road (R445) and Ruanbeg Avenue and a pedestrian only access via Ruanbeg Park, with upgrade to existing public road as necessary. All associated site development works, including 571 no. car parking spaces (including EV parking), 236 no. cycle parking spaces, public and communal open spaces, landscaping, SuDS features, boundary treatment, plant areas, waste management areas/bin stores, and services provision (including ESB substations, pumping station) are also proposed. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared in respect of the proposed development. Revised by Significant Further Information which consists of Replacement of 3. no. three duplex apartment blocks in the northeast corner of the site with two storey housing and the inclusion of a new multifunctional space within the "age friendly housing block". This results in a reduction in no. of residential units to 285 no. residential units. Made up of 14 no. single story, semi detached/terraced houses (12 no. 1-beds and 2 no. 2 beds) provided as "age friendly housing", 231 no. two storey, semi-detached/terraced houses (20 no. 2 beds, 173no.3 beds, 38 no .4 beds); and 40 no. duplexes/apartments. (20 n. 2 beds, 20 no. 3 beds) arranged within 3 no. three storey blocks. Along with an associated reduction in parking provision to 560 no, car parking spaces (including EV parking) and 138 no. cycle parking spaces and the inclusion of a signalised ju