Cllrs opposed to increasing housing densities in urban areas of the county

Paul Murphy

Strong opposition to increases in housing densities in urban areas of the country was expressed by Meath County councillors meeting in Navan yesterday.

The councillors were in their third day of discussions on a new county development plan for the next six years and they were told that it was Government policy to increase the densities, especially around train stations. However, several councillors criticised the regulations. Fianna Fail Cllr Damien O’Reilly said that 50 accommodation units per hectare in five to six storey blocks would only create anti-social hubs in the future.

Labour Party Cllr Elaine McGinty said that while densely packed units could be built, the vital infrastructure like roads, water facilities and schools would lag behind. She felt that the densities being proposed were there to suit devlelopers not the people intending to buy the accommodation units.

Independent Cllr Nick Killian said he was told by one developer that they did not want to build these high-density units because they couldn’t sell them. It was the case, he said that prospective residents did not want these units – what they wanted instead was two-bedroomed units, with a car parking space and a small garden. Independent Cllr Alan Lawes said that when a five-story apartment block was proposed for Johnstown in Navan the whole community had risen up against it. There was no need for high rise developments in Meath, he added.