Redevelopment plan for former pub

A development which could "act as a catalyst for future regeneration of businesses on Trimgate Street" in Navan has been submitted for approval to Navan Town Council. Gaffney & Cullivan Architects and Consulting Engineers have submitted the application for the former An Tailteann pub on the main street on behalf of Michael and Tara Gavigan. They say the application is for alterations to the use of parts of the recently redeveloped property, and is also for some minor internal and external alterations necessitated by the amended use. The Tailteann, currently named Bo Jangles, at Number 4 Trimgate Street, was completely redeveloped between 2007 and 2009 and comprised two ground floor bars, a first/second floor restaurant and office space overlooking Trimgate Street on the three upper floors. At an urban planning level, the applicants state, the development has successfully provided another piece of the jigsaw that will ultimately provide for the connectivity between Cornmarket and Bakery Lane. The current proposal has been conceived by the applicants as an extension of the hospitality use always associated with the site. The bars, which have reopened since the building was redeveloped, have not succeeded for a variety or reasons. The applicants in this case say they have a proven track record for almost 20 years in the restaurant business and envisage a new type of experience which is food-focused, while providing a variety of alternative choices for the customer. The proposal is that the front bar which faces Trimgate Street will become open to the street at ground floor level. Folding doors will replace the shop front, creating an external dining space under cover of the floor above. Retractable canopies will enhance the sense of continental style 'al fresco' dining. The existing bar servery will remain and food will be grilled in sight in the style of a New York grill or French brasserie, they say. On the two floors above, a 'gastro lounge' is envisaged, where food will be prepared in a central open kitchen on the first floor and patrons will have the use of relaxed sitting room-style dining areas. At the rear part of the development, it is planned that the existing ground floor bar is to become a restaurant/pizzeria. In the rear yard, an outdoor dining area is envisaged, with a focus on family dining. There will be tables, umbrellas and outdoor heaters to create a usable outdoor space. The old shed at the end of the plot will be cleared out and set up as a covered space for children of diners. There will also be a pool table, boules play area and table tennis table for use of the patrons only as part of the pizzeria. The application states that the site was redeveloped at a time when trends in public houses were beginning to change. It falied to re-establish itself as a viable public house and has been vacant for the majority of the time since its reopening. There has been one objection to the plan, from the occupants of an apartment in the Penny Lane apartments at Cornmarket. They say that the smoking area is directly adjacent to their property, with clear sightlines into the bedroom there, and are also concerned about noise, smells and blockage of sunlight. They say converting the second and third floors to function rooms would create unwarranted and unmanagable noise, and also have concerns about the central roof garden proposed. A decision is due on the application by 2nd August next.