Revised plans lodged for controversial Johnstown site
Plans for an Aldi food store and 45 apartments have been submitted to Meath County Council for a site on the Metges Road in Johnstown, Navan.
The new plans for the site are being lodged in two separate planning applications by Brynell Developments Ltd and if granted would supersede a previous granting of planning permission in 2019 for 104 apartments and commercial space which were strongly opposed by local residents at the time.
Byrnell Developments Ltd is seeking planning permission for the construction of a single storey retail food store of 1,840 sqm (1,315 sqm net retail) with ancillary off-licence sales area and external service area, illuminated signage and a car park for 89 cars at Metges Road, Johnstown, Navan. An access point is also proposed. The site extends to 0.818 hectares.
The documentation and drawings accompanying the application indicates that the retail facility would be occupied by German retailer Aldi.
A separate planning application has been lodged by Byrnell Developments Ltd for the remainder of the site to build 45 social and affordable apartments.
The apartments would be accommodated in two blocks of four and five storeys and are made up of 36 one-bedroom apartments and nine two-bedroom apartments with PV panels. Car parking for 56 cars and a single vehicular access from the Metges Road and two pedestrian entrances are also proposed. Also included in the plans is a communal garden open space area. The site is 0.46 hectares.
According to information on the planning file, the Clúid housing body has been in discussions with Byrnell Developments in relation to the scheme and has liaised with Meath County Council's Housing Officer. The development meet Clúid's specifications and the housing body stated that it strongly supports the application.
"Final agreement is subject to approval by the Cluid Board, signing a satisfactory contract, valuation, availability of funding and obtaining the necessary approvals for the project and the support of Meath County Council, the DOHPLG and the Housing Finance Agency," Clúid states in a letter which is on the file.
Previous plans by Hunt Capital Ltd for the site went straight to Bord Pleanala as it was deemed to be a strategic housing development. In 2019, the Board granted planning permission for 104 apartments in four buildings ranging in height from four to five storeys over basement along with 1,536sqm of commercial space.
The plans prompted protests from local residents who strongly opposed them amid concerns over the impact the scale of the development would have on adjoining properties as well as traffic in the area.
The 1.23hectares site was put on the market last year and sold in a BidX online auction for €1.11m.
Now revised plans have been lodged by Byrnell Developments Ltd to provide a supermarket with surface parking and 45 social and affordable apartments in two four-five storey apartment blocks.
Submissions can be made on the application up to 2nd January and a decision is due on the application on 23rd January.