Plans lodged for 666 homes, crèche and new Wicklow bridge
Lodged by Certain Assets of Dawnhill and Windhill Limited, the proposed development will see the demolition of three structures on a 25.07-acre site in Kilbride to make way for 578 semi-detached and terraced houses, comprising 100 two-beds, 317 three-beds, and 161 four-beds, along with 88 apartments and duplex apartments in a mix of 24 one-beds, 51 two-beds and 13 three-beds.
The c. 2335 sqm 'local centre' will feature a c.1,095 sqm crèche with an outdoor play area, three community/medical units, and three retail units.
Building heights within the development will range from one to five storeys, with all residential units having associated private open space facing north, south, east and west.
A new public boardwalk/bridge for pedestrians and cyclists from the development across Arklow marsh and the Avoca River to the Arklow Riverwalk is also proposed, with the bridge element across the Avoca River constructed atop the concrete columns (debris traps) permitted as part of the Arklow Flood Relief Scheme.
Forming part of the designated Kilbride Action Area Plan, the development will include streets, pedestrian/cycle links, open spaces/parks (with play areas) and will see the closures of two existing entrances onto the Kilbride Road, along with amendments to the permitted open spaces and access road granted as part of an adjacent 86-home development by Certain Assets of Dawnhill and Windhill Limited, which was conditionally granted by An Bord Pleanála last year after a third-party appeal.
Adding to the wave of developments in the works on the back of the completion of Arklow's Wastewater Treatment Plant, Certain Assets of Dawnhill and Windhill Limited's latest application has been welcomed by Wicklow-Wexford TD Brian Brennan as a 'potentially game-changing residential development for Kilbride in Arklow'.
'This is exactly the boost that Arklow needs, however, we must ensure that this, and any other projects for the town provides all the infrastructural requirements in terms of roads, access, traffic management and also the facilities to meet the needs of the growing population, from schools, sports and leisure facilities, provisions for entertainment and community spaces,' he said.
'We need to start to make serious progress on a second bridge in Arklow and the development of a third link road to the M11.
'Arklow has been waiting for many years for these types of developments, and now that the time has come, we must ensure that we do it properly, giving people the proper facilities to live and work in our town.'
Wicklow County Council will make a decision on the application by July 17. Public submissions can made until June 26.
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