By Catriona Gallen
PROPOSALS to put an additional storey on an apartment complex on the site of Hill Bungalow, on the corner of New Line Road and Beechwood Road, has met with outrage in Letterkenny.
McEleney Construction Ltd, has submitted plans to Letterkenny Town Council requesting permission to raise the roof on the planned apartment complex and provide an additional four apartments on site.
The developer met with strong opposition in the past from the local residents and Town Councillors who opposed a multiple development in a residential area.
At Monday night's Town Council meeting angry Councillors lambasted the latest planning application to the town council as a "poor public relations exercise" on behalf of the developer.
The local developer has already been granted permission to build 19 apartments on the corner site.
The plans include a basement for parking, ESB room, bin storage, bike store and general floor.
The ground floor will have nine apartments complete with courtyard and landscaped garden while provision has been made for 10 apartments on the first floor. A right hand turning lane is also included for access.
Councillor Neil Clarke asked the Town Planner Ms Ruth Diver how a developer could resubmit plans after a decision had been taken by An Bord Pleanála on the site. Ms Diver said a developer was entitled to make an application and was entitled to apply for additional flats. It is then up to the planning department to assess the application she explained.
peace
Cllr Jim Lynch said that there were many retired people living in the area who deserved to "end their days in peace and quiet."
Cllr Lynch said An Bord Pleanála had already ruled on the development and permitted the structure with a storey less because a four-storey building was not in keeping with the area.
"The town doesn't need any more apartments. The place is full of for sale signs. We must address multi developments in the next development plan," he added.
Cllr Dessie Larkin said it was a very bad public relations exercise on behalf of the planner to put the residents through the planning process a fourth time.
He said the Council were currently working on a review of the town plan and addressing the wording on multi developments and height restrictions.
"The developer is entitled to make this application but it is putting undue duress on the people of this area. This is the fourth application made to planning. It is a very bad PR exercise to ask the plans to be put through the Council again when An Bord Pleanála have ruled on the site."
Cllr Gerry McMonagle supported the residents and also criticised the developer. "It is a very bad PR exercise on behalf of the contractor. I have no doubt this will be before An Bord Pleanála again and refuse. I would urge the council to adhere to the planning laws and refuse this application."
Cllr Jimmy Harte said councillors were not against housing density but it proved a "strange logic" to go back and try to change the rules again once a decis ion had been taken on the development.
residents
Cllr Jean Crossan said the residents in Beechwood were up in arms over the development however she said the town council were "not against development that was done in good taste."
Hill Bungalow, which was home to the late Charles Vincent (CV) McLaughlin, a former Town Surveyor and well known architect, was one of the first timber framed houses to be built in the country. It realised ¤810,000 when it is sold at public auction in the Mount Errigal Hotel in March 2005.
The developer originally planned to build 25 apartments and three retail units on the 0.61 acre site however following strong opposition from Beechwood residents An Bord Pleanála ruled 19 apartments could be located on site.
