Size and scale of proposed Dunshaughlin development questioned

Five submissions have been received on plans for a five storey mixed use development proposed for a prominent site on Dunshaughlin's Main Street beside the former Church turned library building, which is a protected structure.

Paul Brophy is seeking planning permission to demolish two derelict cottages on the 0.28 hectares site between the church/library building and Foley's Auctioneers, opposite St Seachnall's Primary school, and to construct a five-storey mixed use building with three retail units proposed for the ground floor level and 28 apartments above. The building height varies between three and four storeys along the front elevation, with a fifth-floor level provided as a set-back element.

While the idea of development on the site is generally supported, concerns have been raised about the scale and size of the development, the removal of parking spaces and the impact on traffic on the already congested Main Street.

One local resident, in her submission, said that while she supported the principle of town centre regeneration and the provision of additional housing within Dunshaughlin, she said this specific proposal was “excessive in scale, height and intensity”.

She added: “The proposed five-storey building is wholly out of character with the established form of Main Street, which is defined by lower-scale development and buildings of a significantly more modest height.”

She also contended that the proposal constituted overdevelopment of the site, that there is inadequate parking and this is exacerbated by the proposed removal of existing public parking spaces on the Main Street to facilitate vehicular access which “would result in severe parking overspill ito nearby residential areas”.

Another submission was made by a local resident who is an architect accredited in conservation grade 3, which was primarily concerned with the effect of the development on the setting and character of Dunshaughlin Library, the former Catholic Church building, which adjoins the site.

“I want to be clear that I welcome development on this site and other parts of the village- Dunshaughlin needs housing, and Main Street needs activity. My objection concerns how this proposal goes about providing them,” the observer said.

In his view the building's elevations read as a generic apartment block with retail at ground floor. “They show little response to the grain, rhythm or materials of Main Street, and no real ackowledgment that the building stands beside the town's most significant historic structure.”

“Appropriate redevelopment of this central site has the potential to make a positive contribution to Dunshaughlin. The issue raised by this submission is not whether redevelopment should occur, but whether the particular development currently before the Council has demonstrated that its proposed land-use balance, scale, heritage, response and supporting technical assessments are appropriate for this sensitive town-centre site.”

Another objection argued that the proposed five storey building would “destroy the aesthetic of the village and set a precedent of high rise on the main street”.

“Dunshaughlin could end up as a high rise canyon with no quality of life,” it noted. It also raised concerns about the impact on traffic due to the access off main street. “The main street is already choked with traffic. 30 apartment adds even more daily traffic into the village.”

Another submission raised concerns about the site distances, the removal of parking spaces and impact of this on local businesses, and that the increase in traffic would “bring rush hours to even more of a stand still”.

The closing date for receipt of submissions was 6th October and Meath County Council is due to decide on the application later this month.