Planning refused for housing development in Athy

PLANNING has been refused for a 32-unit residential development at Geraldine Road, Athy by Kildare County Council due to significant concerns relating to environmental sustainability, poor design integration, and a lack of critical supporting information.

The plan was committed to creating 32 units comprising of six, one-bedroom units, 13 two-bed units, and 12 three-bed units, as well as the provision of a new vehicle and pedestrian entrance to the site, and a foul pumping station.

Central to the refusal was the proposed surface water drainage strategy, which involved the use of an underground attenuation tank located beneath a dedicated area of public open space.

The council determined that this approach failed to comply with the Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029, which requires nature-based sustainable drainage systems as an integral part of all new developments.

The Council concluded that the drainage plan was substandard and contrary to proper planning and sustainable development principles.

Further grounds for refusal included the development's failure to protect and incorporate existing green infrastructure.

The landscaping proposals were described as substandard and lacking consideration for the potential impact of boundary walls on nearby trees and hedgerows.

It was determined that the proposal failed to uphold these standards and would negatively affect the area's natural heritage, placing it at odds with both the Kildare County Development Plan and the Athy Local Area Plan 2021–2027.

A third key issue was the absence of essential information needed to properly assess the development's impact.

The Council pointed to missing or inadequate details on landscaping, nature-based drainage solutions, pedestrian and cycling connectivity, storage provision for apartments, and integration with surrounding site levels.

Concerns were also raised about the layout, including a proposed 129-metre-long straight road section that may not comply with national urban design guidelines. 

In its conclusion, the Council stated that the proposal, as submitted, would be premature in the absence of the information required to fully evaluate its effects on the surrounding area. The development was deemed inconsistent with the principles of sustainable planning and refused accordingly.

The applicant has been strongly advised to initiate a pre-planning consultation under to address the issues raised and explore the potential for a revised application that meets planning and environmental standards.