An Bord Pleanála have turned down an application for the construction of 135 apartments in Maynooth due to the impact it would have on the existing church in the town and the effect it would have on the historical characteristics of Maynooth.
That is according to Kildare North Labour election candidate Emmet Stagg, who stated that he has been in contact with An Bord Pleanála in relation to the matter.
The 135 apartment development would have been located on Mill Street in the town, but Mr Stagg sought amendments to the design of the proposal to incorporate pitched roofs, use of cut stone finish and use of Stone Quoins on the edges of the buildings, to reflect the existing historic character of Maynooth Town Centre.
According to the former TD, the proposed development was rejected due to its design, scale and bulk, in close proximity to St Mary's Church, which is a protected structure, would materially and detrimentally affect the setting of the protected structure and would diminish the level of light reaching the stained glass windows on the eastern and southern elevations of the church.
The board also refused permission because the proposal would detract from the character and amenities of the Town of Maynooth, and in particular from the amenities of the lands along the Lyreen River and the open space at Pound Lane because the proposed development would not provide adequate pedestrian and cyclist permeability and because the proposed development would have a significant negative impact on traffic flows on Mill Street.
It was also found that the development failed to provide an acceptable standard of amenity for future occupants, and, finally, the the planning board were not satisfied by the evidence submitted that the proposed development would not pose an increased risk to third party properties and lands arising from the loss of floodplain storage.
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