513 unit housing development plan for Enfield

A major new 513 unit housing development is proposed for Enfield. The proposal is for 304 houses and 209 apartments, along with a childcare facility and associated site works.

A planning application by Hayfield Homes Ltd is seeking permission for the development on lands to the north of the R148 and to the west of New Road, Johnstown, Enfield.

The application has gone straight to Bord Pleanala for consideration as it has been deemed a strategic housing development .

Such a huge housing development will have a major impact on community facilities, sewerage and water services, according to Cllr Noel French.

“The planning application says that there is capacity for water and sewerage.

“Enfield has a problem with water already. A new waste water system will be completed there in 2023,” he said.

“The GAA club will get a playing pitch from this development, but it will create a need for additional community facilities.

“We have a problem that Enfield is becoming a commuter town and although it has a railway station, people are still getting into their cars to drive to Kilcock and Maynooth, where the fares are much cheaper.

“Despite all the proposed development, no jobs are being created in the area at the moment, although Meath County Council identified Enfield as an area for enterprise development. It has a train link and motorway which makes it attractive for job creation,” said Cllr French.

“With new houses being built, but no new jobs, we will have traffic build up. The local schools will also have problems,” he said.