Athlone councillor John Dolan is welcoming the decision by An Bord Pleanala to give the go-ahead for a major housing development on 17 hectares of land at Lissywollen.
When it's finished, the development will cater for more than 1,500 residents living in 285 houses, and 291 apartments and duplexes.
A total of 174 of the units will be allocated to the council as social housing with the remainder of the private market.
Concerns have bene expressed about the project from residents on the existing Brawney housing estate with regard to density and a new road which is to be built during the first phase and which will link the Ballymahon road and Garrycastle roundabouts.
While 30 conditions have been attached to the permission there's no mention of altering the plans for the new road.
Councillor Dolan says while there are always concerns with such a large project he hopes people's concerns will be allayed as it develops.
