In January of this year Oakmore Developments applied for planning permission for the construction of 35 homes at Glasganny, Ardcavan, Co Wexford with “scope for a possible Phase 2 development of an additional 24 dwellings”.
This was the second time Oakmore Developments had applied for planning permission at the site in question. However, having met with Wexford County Council’s (WCC) senior planner Diarmuid Houston, it said it had “addressed the issues raised” in this previous submission. Those included queries regarding surface water design, bin storage, footpath amendments, electric vehicle infrastructure, a play area, and a lighting plan.
The developer received support from Co Operative Housing Ireland (CHI) which, on January 8, 2025, wrote to WCC stating that, if granted, the 35-unit development would be “a scheme type and mix that CHI would be interested in acquiring from this developer”.
And on July 23 of this year, WCC granted planning permission to the developer. However, that decision was quickly appealed to the national planning authority by Mairéad Ryan, Conor Breen, Sr Marie Jones, Sr Rosaleen Sheil, Andrew and Jackie Morris, Martha Ryan, and Keith Prendergast on August 14.
Outlining their reasons for appealing the proposed development, the appellants referenced the County Wexford Development Plan 2022-2028.
“As set out in the Core Strategy (of the plan) an additional population of 151 persons is allocated to Castlebridge between 2021-2027,” they wrote. “This equates to 103 additional households. It is intended to deliver all of these new dwelling units on lands in a sequential manner within the built-up footprint of the settlement.
“Since this plan was published a further four housing estates have been granted permission and constructed, with permission for a further four dwelling estates in the area resulting in 60 new build houses occupied since 2022. Adding an additional 35 units with scope for a further 24 at a later phase would greatly exceed the amount set out in the Core Strategy.
“According to the Census 2022 the area of Castlebridge has a population of 2,057 (which has) increased by 8 per cent since 2011. The population has almost tripled in the last 20 years and without any provision of community facilities.”
Another concern for the appellants was how the new houses would impact upon an already limited water infrastructure.
“Residents of this area continually suffer from low water pressure and on frequent occasions have no water at all and are currently living under a Water Conservation Order until September 16, 2025,” they wrote. “Uisce Éireann states that approximately 1.3km of water network upgrades will be required to help alleviate this issue.
“The developer has made an agreement with Uisce Éireann that a donation of €400,000 be made to meet the required works. Will this improve the water pressure and supply for current residents or only serve the new dwellings? Will adding a further 35 houses with the potential for a further phase add to the problem? There has been numerous occasions in the past and particularly in recent times, that current residents have been without any water supply with no prior notice or warnings.
“This has become a reality for current residents on an alarmingly regular basis. What are the guarantees that works on the water supply will be carried out, in what time frame and what assurances will be given that these works will alleviate the problem?
“These are genuine concerns as at increasingly frequent times, current residents cannot use the shower, dishwasher or washing machine due to the lack of water pressure. In 2023, one resident sold their home to move from Mill Park (situated directly beside this proposed development) due to the constant inconvenience of water stoppages.”
Noting the lack of a medical facility in the area and the potential impact on classroom sizes in the local national school, the appellants said that, on the whole, Castlebridge was “ill-equipped” to deal with potentially 59 new families moving into the area.
“Up to this year, Castlebridge has been neglected in terms of government funding yet, due to its close proximity to Wexford town, is expected to accommodate new housing to help ease the current pressured housing crisis. As a community, Castlebridge would welcome every individual from all walks of life however, it is unreasonable to expect the area to facilitate the needs of a further increase in population without a fully serviced, functional community building.”
An Coimisiún Pleanála is due to make its ruling on the case on December 17.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.