Social housing for Hacketstown clears key planning hurdle
PLANS for a 12-unit social housing development in Hacketstown have cleared a key hurdle after councillors voted to advance the project to the next stage of the planning process.
At the recent monthly meeting of Tullow Municipal District, councillors voted to progress to the ‘part 8’ planning process, with cllr Brian O’Donoghue proposing the progression and cllr Jim Deane seconding. A part 8 planning process is a procedure by which local authorities seek public approval when proposing to build on council-owned land.
The proposed development is situated on Hacketstown Main Street, on the grounds of the former Kealy’s pub, next door to Gallagher Medical Centre and Burke Farrell Funeral Home. The council must now publicly advertise the Hacketstown scheme, open it to submissions from the public and bring a report before elected members for a final vote before work can begin.
The planned development includes three semi-detached units, four terraced units and five apartments. Of the 12 units, there are five one-beds, five two-beds and two three-beds.
This development would see the current housing requirement in Hacketstown fulfilled, according to representatives from Carlow Co Council.
Cllr John Pender asked whether there was much change between this plan and the last plan brought to councillors that wasn’t deemed acceptable, with some residents concerned that parking spaces and visibility onto the main road would be affected as a result.
Senior executive engineer Niall Barrett explained that three parallel car parking spaces on the Main Street were being omitted from the plans to improve visibility coming onto the street, which is a significant reduction on the number originally proposed to be omitted.
“We are not touching any of the perpendicular car parking spaces that the primary care centre or medical facility are using,” he added.
Mr Barrett also explained that there is scope in the future for pedestrian and cycle links with neighbouring developments that will take residents into the centre of the village.
Cllr Jim Deane welcomed the site plans, in particular the inclusion of a sensory room in one of the units, which was requested by one of the families who are due to be housed in the development, as they have a neurodivergent child.
“I have to compliment you all, that there are people with that need and the council are taking it on board,” cllr Deane said. “It is about time this has happened as opposed to people living with young children with disabilities into adulthood and nobody giving a hoot about them. This is good planning, and it is very welcome,” he added.
There is also a two-bed bungalow unit included in the plans, which will offer an age-friendly option.
Cllr Brian O’Donoghue welcomed the revised plans, in particular the fact that the reduction in car parking spaces would not impact on ambulances pulling up to the medical facility next door.
