Time extended to complete 105 houses in Virginia

The application by Capital Oil Supplies Ltd was to extend time to erect 105 houses in total at Rahardrum in the east Cavan town. The development comprises 88 semi-detached dwellings and 17 detached dwellings, along with a crèche and site services.
Last Friday, the planning department afforded the developer an extension to December 31, 2021, to complete the Capital Oil Supplies project.
The permission was first granted to Eugene O’Dwyer in November 2004 subject to 38 conditions.
Geraldine O’Reilly is a local auctioneer and valuer. With a business located on Main Street, Virginia, she is acutely aware to the necessity of the project: “This is very badly needed. We don’t have enough property to fill the demand,” she explained to The Anglo-Celt.
However Ms O’Reilly has concerns in light of a recent ruling by An Bord Pleanála not to allow a smaller project to progress: “You would imagine that because the sewerage system has not changed that there may be problems if it goes before An Bord Pleanála. The objection to the last development was on the grounds of over capacity, that hasn’t been addressed.”
The estate agent believes that, if the Rahardrum houses come to market, they would be snapped up: “They are necessary. At the moment, apart from River Crescent, there is one four-bed semi-detached available. River Crescent is the only new scheme with houses available. As far as I am aware, there is only one other second-hand, semi-detached house available in the town of Virginia. There is a real requirement for semi-detached homes because it’s a good price point.”
Ms O’Reilly says that the town offers a very attractive prospect to buyers: “People who are commuting want access to a good transport system. Virginia has that. You also have very good facilities - the rugby club, the soccer club, the Gaelic club, the theatre and excellent restaurants. Virginia has a lot to offer.”
Last July, a 78-unit residential development at The Drumlins, Bailieborough Road, Virginia, was renewed permission by the local authority, but that was subsequently overturned by An Bord Pleanála. Ms O’Reilly says that locally there is still hope that there may be progress on that decision: “We are hoping that the Drumlins is going to move forward but, at present, it’s stuck. The requirement for property is getting stronger in Virginia.”