Planning permission for a new housing development in Athlone has been refused by county planners. An application from Portmore Trading and Investments Limited was submitted to Westmeath County Council at the start of the year. It called for the construction of 44 residential units at lands adjacent to the former An Post Depot on the Coosan Road in Clonbrusk Athlone. The plans consisted of 17 four bedroom houses, 15 three bedroom houses and six each of three-bed duplex maisonettes and two bed apartments.
The development would have also seen a new vehicle entrance and access road along with car and bike parking, public open space and landscaping works. Westmeath County planners refused the development under five reasons. These include issues with the zoning of the land and concerns around the inadequate provision of public open and communal amenity spaces.