Residents oppose plan for high-rise development

Ashbourne residents have hit out at plans for a new five-storey development which they warn will "tower over neighbouring properties."

There has been an angry reaction in the Tudor Grove and Rath Lodge housing estates in Ashbourne at proposals for a five-storey housing development in a small area between both estates.

Residents have vowed to oppose the proposal by Cala Bassa to build 74 apartments at Killegland, which they say will tower over their homes and overlook their back gardens.

They have also warned that a proposal in the plan to open walkways to both their estates will lead to anti social behaviour in the resulting laneways.

"The people in these two long established estates will be living in the shadow of towers," warned local councillor, Joe Bonner. "A five-storey apartment block cannot go unchallenged."

The planning application is for the demolition of two existing bungalows and the construction three separate apartment blocks yielding a total of 74 apartments.

Block 1 would be a three, four and five storey building with five one-bed apartments, 19 two-bed apartments, and three three-bed apartments.

The proposed block two will be a five-storey building with 16 one -bedroom apartments, and nine two-bedroom apartments.

Block three will be a four storey building, consisting of 15 one-bedroom apartments and seven two-bedroom apartments designed for older persons independent living.

Vehicular access to the site will be from the R135 and it will include a new landscaped area with 1,670m2 of open space, pedestrian linkages and cycles routes linking to Rath Lodge Estate and Tudor Close Estate.

Helen Meyer of Tudor Close said if the proposal goes ahead she will be looking out her back window at a five-storey apartment block.

"Our estate is long established. It was built in 1988. All of us in this cul-de-sac will have a five-storey block looking directly in our back gardens. It will block out our light. Rath Lodge is also a long established estate."

She points out that residents held a virtual meeting and will be fighting the proposals.

"We are working with a planner and we will be putting in a lengthy submission,"she says.

"The proposal for walkways into our estates will lead to anti social behaviour. You ony have to see the gangs drinking in other laneways around the town.

"They are only planning to provide 63 parking spaces for 74 apartments."

Cllr Bonner said that Ashbourne doesn't need a high-rise development like this, especially in the middle of low-density housing.

"There is not enough parking, there is no green space and a tiny exercise area.

"It is a five storey building - a first for Ashbourne, it is not necessary.

"The people of Ashbourne aren't going to accept this and it cannot be allowed into the town unchallenged.

"We have already seen the distress caused to the people of Millbourne by trying to pack houses into a green space," he said.

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