Plan to build three apartment blocks in Carlow Town refused again after appeal rejected

A plan to build dozens of apartments in Carlow Town has been refused again after an appeal from the developer was rejected. 

Derek Devoy Ltd has been unsuccessful in its attempt to greenlight the construction of 78 apartments at the former Greenvale site on Montgomery Street, Carlow Town. 

Three reasons were given for refusal of the high-density development, which Carlow County Council stated was excessive in bulk, height and scale. 

The council decided the development would "seriously injure the visual amenities of the area" and set an "undesirable precedent" for similar developments. 

Other reasons for refusal include close proximity to the River Barrow and River Nore special area of conservation, and the location being an identified flood risk. 

Despite the reduction in size of the scheme - including reducing the number of blocks from three to two and apartments from 78 to 60 - the Planning Authority stated it still maintained "significant reservations" regarding the development's overall size and scale. 

The initial application was submitted by Derek Devoy Ltd in summer 2020 with a decision on the appeal made in mid-January 2023 as per An Bord Pleanála.