Post by eliar on Feb 24, 2007 10:09:58 GMT 8
Westlife's Shane Filan's development opposed by Sligo Borough councillors Feb 21, 5:43 am
A proposed development by Westlife's Shane Filan and his brother on the outskirts of Sligo town has run into opposition from Sligo Borough Council.
Sligo Borough councillors have proposed that town planners refuse planning permisssion to Shafin Developments Ltd for a 63 apartment development at Knappagh Road on the Strandhill Road.
The motion was put forward by Labour cllr and general election candidate Jim McGarry and seconded by cllr Veronica Cawley at Monday's planning meeting of Sligo Borough Council.
Shafin Developments Ltd has already met with objections from two residents' associations and up to five individuals concerning the high density of apartments proposed which would overlook existing houses.
It's now facing opposition from the majority of Sligo Borough councillors, several of whom voiced concerns regarding the density of the project, the accessibility of cars coming out onto the Strandhill Road, and the location of refuse stations next to houses on Knappagh road.
Sinn Fein cllr Sean Mac Manus said he had serious reservations regarding the density of the project. Fianna Fail Cllr Jonathon McGoldrick raised concerns over the accessibility of cars coming out of the development onto Strandhill road, while his party colleague Jude Devins said the location of refuse stations beside houses needed to be cleared up.
Labour cllr Declan Bree noted that there was no mention of any social or affordable units in the development which are a requirement under Part Five of the planning Act.
In response, Sligo town planner Fiona Redmond said the area was zoned for high density residential development and insisted the site is appropriate under the Sligo and Environs Development Plan.
She told councillors that it was a very substantial and complex development and issues such as traffic flow would have to be addressed.
She admitted that several objections were submitted and said all issues were duly noted.
In relation to the absence of any social or affordable housing in the planning application, Borough council officials told Cllrs they had a letter on file from Shafin developers offering a financial contribution instead of allocating twenty per cent of the development to social and affordable apartments.
But they admitted they had received no indication from Shafin as of Monday, as to whether they intended to comply with Part Five requirements.
Cllr Jim McGarry then proposed that the planning application be refused, back up by Cllr Veronica Cawley who said she was not against high density development but was not happy with the plans before her.
Cllrs Tony McLoughlin and Jude Devins both pointed out that they disagreed with the motion and told fellow councillors not to fool themselves.
Planning permission for the controversial development is an executive decision for Sligo Borough planners however, which means there's no guarantee it will be refused.
Source:http://www.oceanfm.ie/onair/sligoleitrimnews.php?articleid=000001089
A proposed development by Westlife's Shane Filan and his brother on the outskirts of Sligo town has run into opposition from Sligo Borough Council.
Sligo Borough councillors have proposed that town planners refuse planning permisssion to Shafin Developments Ltd for a 63 apartment development at Knappagh Road on the Strandhill Road.
The motion was put forward by Labour cllr and general election candidate Jim McGarry and seconded by cllr Veronica Cawley at Monday's planning meeting of Sligo Borough Council.
Shafin Developments Ltd has already met with objections from two residents' associations and up to five individuals concerning the high density of apartments proposed which would overlook existing houses.
It's now facing opposition from the majority of Sligo Borough councillors, several of whom voiced concerns regarding the density of the project, the accessibility of cars coming out onto the Strandhill Road, and the location of refuse stations next to houses on Knappagh road.
Sinn Fein cllr Sean Mac Manus said he had serious reservations regarding the density of the project. Fianna Fail Cllr Jonathon McGoldrick raised concerns over the accessibility of cars coming out of the development onto Strandhill road, while his party colleague Jude Devins said the location of refuse stations beside houses needed to be cleared up.
Labour cllr Declan Bree noted that there was no mention of any social or affordable units in the development which are a requirement under Part Five of the planning Act.
In response, Sligo town planner Fiona Redmond said the area was zoned for high density residential development and insisted the site is appropriate under the Sligo and Environs Development Plan.
She told councillors that it was a very substantial and complex development and issues such as traffic flow would have to be addressed.
She admitted that several objections were submitted and said all issues were duly noted.
In relation to the absence of any social or affordable housing in the planning application, Borough council officials told Cllrs they had a letter on file from Shafin developers offering a financial contribution instead of allocating twenty per cent of the development to social and affordable apartments.
But they admitted they had received no indication from Shafin as of Monday, as to whether they intended to comply with Part Five requirements.
Cllr Jim McGarry then proposed that the planning application be refused, back up by Cllr Veronica Cawley who said she was not against high density development but was not happy with the plans before her.
Cllrs Tony McLoughlin and Jude Devins both pointed out that they disagreed with the motion and told fellow councillors not to fool themselves.
Planning permission for the controversial development is an executive decision for Sligo Borough planners however, which means there's no guarantee it will be refused.
Source:http://www.oceanfm.ie/onair/sligoleitrimnews.php?articleid=000001089