An Taisce raises concerns over Tulla housing plan

PLANS for 36 new homes in Tulla are the subject of three submissions, one of them from heritage watchdog, An Taisce.

Earlier this year, Rockfort Developments lodged plans to build 14 detached homes as well as 16 semi-detached and six terraced houses on the outskirts of Tulla, off the L4078, with a pedestrian connection to the exiting footpath into town.

The site, of just over 1.8 hectares, is located inside the 50kmph speed limit in an area zoned for low-density residential development under the Tulla Settlement Plan. It is currently a greenfield site, bounded to the north by the Cúirt na bhFiach estate, to the east by O’Halloran’s filling station, and to the west by a single private home. To the south, the site is delineated by the public road, with St Joseph’s Secondary School just opposite.

In a submission on the development, An Taisce said that a report on local roads infrastructure, submitted with the plans, “fails to address enhanced safe cycling connections to the town centre via the L-4078”. It added that “the location of a housing development within a 50kmph speed limit is in appropriate,” and said “a lower speed limit is required”. In its submission, the organisation also highlighted an objectives of The Programme for Government (PFG) on clean air, work-life balance and transport. A priority action of the programme is cited in the submission, stating that “necessary improvements in climate impact, quality of life, air quality and physical and mental health demand that every effort is made by the Government to make active travel and public transport better and more accessible”. The submission also noted that local authorities have, under the PFG been mandated to immediately assess their roads network to identify space for pedestrians and cyclists.

Meanwhile, two submissions, citing privacy concerns, have come from residents living close to the site. One resident highlights how three of the proposed homes will border his property. “I would sincerely hope that these houses can be repositioned on this site which would enable a green buffer area to extend along my boundary,” the submission said.

Another local couple have asked that a “substantial stone wall” could be built between the estate and their home to maintain some privacy and reduce the possibility of trespass. “Outside of that, best of luck with the development,” the submission concluded.

Clare County Council has given February 19 as an indicative decision date on the application.