HOUSING AT NEWTOWN [LADYWELL], THOMASTOWN, CO. KILKENNY

This application is for the construction of 25 housing units by Kilkenny County Council on land at Ladywell / Newtown, Thomastown and associated road widening works to faciliate the development. 

• Main Items which may be of interest:  
  • Site Location Map     
  • Indicative 3D images of proposals  
  • Architectural Drawings of Housing Units
  • Flyover of 3D computer generated scheme
• Note that the 3D images are for illustrative purposes only and shouldn't be taken as an exact representation of what will be built.
• There are 4 apartments proposed for the lower part of the site, accessed from Ladywell Street. There is an existing derelict farmhouse and shed on this part of the site and it is proposed to knock these. There is one building proposed, with 2 apartments on the ground floor and 2 on the first floor. 
• 21 units are proposed for the higher part of the site, accessed from Legan Lane. These are two storey and one storey and have been designed to ensure there is no overlooking of neighbouring properties. 
• The existing pitch used by Grennan College is to be retained in its current location, with a new pedestrian access provided for the school as part of the project. 
• To clarify the site extent - there is an area shown in the site location map - accross the road from the Fire Station, which covers working area for the construction period - located  in a privately owned field. It is not proposed to build houses at this location.
• The intention is to allocate the homes to housing applicants on the approved housing list for Thomastown, in accordance with the scheme of letting priorities. However the sale of affordable homes in the scheme to qualified applicants may be considered if a suitable scheme is available. 

Breakdown of proposed units is as follows:- 10 x 1 bed, 10 x 2 bed (2 of which are fully accessible) , 5 x 3 bed

This breakdown is based on the social housing need for Thomastown i.e. 45% 1beds, 34% 2 beds, 18% 3 beds and 3% 4 beds. 

• The project is approved for funding from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and forms a key part of Kilkenny County Councils Housing Strategy to deliver new build homes in Kilkenny County.

• An Archaeological Impact Assessment (Report 3) was carried out which concluded that there indicated no known recorded archaeological monument within the Study Area it was considered that the proposed construction of housing on the site will have no adverse archaeological impact.
• A Conservation Assessment (Report 6) for the road widening works has been completed and an Outline Method Statement (Report 7) developed for the realignment and renovation of the existing Cock and Hen boundary wall along Ladywell Street which is listed as a protected structure. This wall has been serially damaged over many years and significantly reduced in height from it its original stature due to the increased traffic volume and vehicle size using this road. In widening the road and setting the wall back from the carriageway the wall will be restored to its original height and will be preserved for years to come.
• Irish Water has provided confirmation that water and wastewater connections are feasible for the site (see additional information item 3). A formal connection application will be submitted to Irish Water in due course. 
• A Stage 1 Road Safety Audit was carried out (Report 9) based on the draft planning drawings in October 2019. All problems indentified in the report have been rectified in the final planning drawings that form part of this application. 
• A Transport Assessment (Report 8) demonstrates that the anticipated increased traffic movements associated with the development are negligible. It shows that the proposed widening of Ladywell Street and associated junction realignment will not alter the existing traffic flows and will cater for all types of vehicles accessing the development. It is recommended to introduce a reduced speed limit from the junction to the development entrance for traffic safety which will be facilitated.
• An Outline Environmental and Construction Waste Management plan (Report 2) is included, this would be further developed by the design team prior to tender (when full details of construction methods are known) and finalised by the appointed contractor. It is intended to ensure that all mitigation measures proposed in the Natura Impact Statement are fully complied with.

Details of formal notice are outlined below. Note that any observations have to be made directly to An Bórd Pleanála, not to Kilkenny County Council. Hard copies of the details of the proposal are available for viewing by appointment at locations below. 

Kilkenny County Council-  Housing at Newtown, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny

Application to An Bord Pleanala for approval - Notice pursuant to: Section 177AE of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended)