Major housing development sought for Swellan

Plans have been lodged with Cavan County Council for a near 100-unit housing development on the outskirts of Cavan Town, in an area that has been flagged as a potential flood risk.

Woodfort Corporate Ltd is seeking permission to build a residential scheme of 96 new houses on a “portion of an unfinished site” at Station Lane, Swellan Lower.

The proposed development will consist of 10 two-bed maisonettes; 70 three-bed, two-storey units; and 16 four-bedroom, one-and-two storey units. The plans also provide for the construction of a new crèche facility.

Plans were lodged with council planners last week, and other elements include a landscaped open space, car parking, bus stop and shelter, connection to services and all other associated site development works.

A Natura Impact Statement “will be submitted to the planning authority with this application” says Woodfort Corporate Ltd, which has a registered company address at DMFN Chartered Accountants, Fitzwilliam Street Lower, Dublin.

The location of the proposed development was the subject of a vote on zoning during the drafting of the Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028.

Councillors voted unanimously in favour of including the three hectare “brownfield” site with services already attached adjacent to Swellan’s Station Lane housing estate, despite the executive flagging to elected members that part of the land was located in or adjacent to a recognised flood zone.

The recommendation was voted 15 against with one abstention (Shane P O’Reilly Ind) accepting Chief Executive Tommy Ryan’s recommendation.

A decision on the development is due at end of May.