Planning permission has been granted for 104 apartments in Johnstown

A planning application for 104 apartments at Metges Road, Johnstown has been granted by An Bord Pleanàla.

Concern had been expressed at proposals for four apartment blocks ranging from four to five storeys containing, one, two and three-bedroom apartments, as well as commercial units at Metges Road with residents coming out in force earlier this year in protest against the move. 

The application granted consists of four buildings ranging in height from four to five storeys over basement on a site measuring 1.23 hectares. It will contain 104 apartments (20 one-bed, 76 two-bed and eight three-bed) as well as 1,536 square metres of commercial space including a crèche, sports facility, offices, own-door commercial units and ancillary spaces. 

Spokesperson Cal Mooney pointed out at the time that this is the third planning application for this site. The last application, which was refused last September, was for fewer apartments that the current application.

"The An Bord Pleanala rejection in 2018 stated that lack of community facilities was one of their considerations for not approving the development.

"This proposal would rip out a green area in the heart of Johnstown. It is a tree-lined area where people love to go for walks. Johnstown is crying out for facilities including a playground and nobody would object to a proposal for a playground in this area. 

Residents came out in force to protest  earlier this year 

Mr Mooney also pointed out that there are proposals to built between 800 to 1000 new housing units in Johnstown by March 2020, but the area has no community facilities and no garda station.

"There is nothing in Johnstown but they want to shove in another 104 housing units on top of all the rest.

"People are getting very angry and we are protesting to hold the local councillors to account," he said.

Cllr Alan Lawes said:

 "We don’t want or don’t need high rise apartments in this area." 

"The people of Bailis Village would be looking at apartment blocks right up to their back walls that are three times higher than the walls."

Hunt Capital Ltd had indicated that it intended to apply to An Bord Pleanála for permission for a strategic housing development at the site - this means the application was dealt with by An Bord Pleanala only and Meath County council was not involved.