Locals vow to oppose major apartments plan in Johnstown

Residents of Johnstown, Navan are preparing to do battle against a planning application for 104 apartments at Metges Road, Johnstown.

Concern has been expressed at proposals for four apartment blocks ranging from four to five storeys containing, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as commercial units at Metges Road, Johnstown.
Hunt Capital Ltd has indicated it intends to apply to An Bord Pleanála for permission for a strategic housing development at the site - this means the application is dealt with by An Bord Pleanala only and Meath County council will not be involved .
Cllr Alan Lawes said there is a lot of concern in Johnstown at the proposals and a public meeting to discuss the issue will take place in O’Briens on Thursday night at 8pm.
“A previous planning application at this site was for less apartments that the current application. We don’t want or don’t need high rise apartments in this area,” said Cllr Lawes.
The application is for four buildings ranging in height from four to five storeys over basement on a site measuring 1.23 hectares. It will contain 104 apartments (20 x one-bed, 76 x two-bed and eight three-bed) as well as 1,536sqm of commercial space including a crèche, sports facility, offices, own-door commercial units and ancillary spaces.
Cllr Lawes said the people of Bailis Village would be looking at apartment blocks right up to their back walls that are three times higher than the walls.
Deputy Peadar Tóibín said: “It is deeply frustrating that the mismatch between the massive housing need in our county and what large international investment firms seek to force through.”