New estate planned for Tulla

THIRTY-SIX new homes could be on the way for Tulla, with an application for a residential development being considered by planners for a site on the outskirts of the village.

Rockfort Developments plan to build 14 detached homes as well as 16 semi-detached and six terraced houses 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.

A design statement, submitted as part of the application, outlines that eleven of the detached homes would have four bedrooms, while the remaining three would be three-beds. The semi-detached homes would have three bedrooms each, as would the terraced houses. The six proposed terraced homes would be built in two blocks. Eighty-four parking spaces are proposed in total. The design of the scheme contains a range of unit types “to accommodate a variety of people and households”. The size is below that which would require a childcare facility to be provided.

Detailed drawings show how the proposed estate would front onto the public road, separated by a new drystone wall. Within the estate, three green areas are planned: a large green in the centre, with a substantial play area; a linear park which will retain an existing hedgerow and be enhanced with further planting; and a green belt to the front of the site. The design statement outlines how the proposed green belt will enable tree planting behind the boundary wall and counter the proximity of the school immediately opposite the site, “creating an effective buffer zone between the two”.

According to the applicants, the estate has been laid out to provide for pedestrian links through the development. These would connect to a pedestrian/cycle path along a linear park, which links directly to the public road. The path follows the shortest route to the centre of Tulla, with efforts made to encourage pedestrian and cycle access for amenity and recreation purposes.

A letter has been provided by the Housing section of the council to state that the Part V requirement for the development has been agreed in principle.

A detailed Bat Survey, submitted with the application, notes that disturbance to the local species will be minimised the use of low intensity lighting.

Submissions on the development are being accepted up to January 29 and Clare County Council has given February 19 as an indicative decision date.