New plans to build homes on Kilkenny site where controversial development was rejected

New plans for a development of family homes on a site in Kilkenny where a proposed large scheme of 120 dwellings was refused last year have been lodged with the local authority.

Kilkenny County Council has received a request for planning permission from developer Signbrook to construct 53 houses on the Old Bishop’s Palace at Sion Hermitage, Sion Road, Kilkenny.

Last September An Bord Pleanála refused an application from Torca Developments to construct 36 houses and 84 apartments at Sion Hermitage as it felt the scheme would have an adverse effect on the environment in the area. The national planning authority also raised safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists amid fears the development could cause a traffic hazard and endanger public safety.

Torca Developments had applied for planning directly to An Bord Pleanála under Special Housing Development (SHD) guideline as the development consisted of more than 100 homes. An SHD application can by-pass the local authority planning system under guidelines brought in by the Government in 2016 in an effort to speed up the decision making process and get more homes built.

However, the new application by Signbrook is for less than 100 dwellings, and so they have to apply for planning through the local authority.

Signbrook’s application requests permission for the demolition of existing buildings to make space for the homes.

The 3.4 hectares site Signbrook are requesting permission to build upon is also smaller than the 5.85 hectares proposed in Torca’s unsuccessful application.

If their application is successful, Signbrook will construct six five-bed detached homes, 27 four-bed detached houses and 10 three-bed semi-detached houses on the site.

The council is expected to rule on whether the new development can proceed by early next month.