Government department adds voice to planning objections in Dunshaughlin

The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has lodged an appeal against a Meath County Council decision to allow the demolition of historic buildings in Dunshaughlin. The department has added its voice to objections by the Dunshaughlin Tidy Towns group and local businesses against the demolition of the landmark old stables, the former Gogan's pub and its adjoining out-offices on Main Street, Dunshaughlin. The department has also questioned whether Meath County Council was entitled to decide on the application as it did, given that substantial proposed alterations were provided in a further information (FI) response, and were not on the original application made by Cusack Homes. The applicants are seeking to develop a retail and office project, including an anchor retail unit, on 2.3 hectares, with 323 car parking spaces. Previous applications on this site included residential aspects, which do not feature in this application, granted by Meath County Council last month with over 40 conditions. The application was received in March, with Meath County Council seeking further information in April. In a letter to An Bord Pleanala opposing the decision to grant, the Department of Heritage said that the original application for the development did not propose the demolition of any historic buildings. "Subsequently, at the further information stage, the applicant has increased the proposed size of the development and this now incorporates an historic building...this building was recorded by the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage during its interim survey of County Meath and was described as retaining "original and colourful features and materials, such as brick dressings and cast iron windows, which make a positive and notable addition to the streetscape". The building was included in the Ministerial recommendations to the Planning Authority of structures for inclusion on the Record of Public Structures (RPS). "It has been noted that the building has not yet been added to the RPS," the department's letter continues. The department said it would appear that Meath County Council's decision to grant permission for the second of two options submitted in the Further Information response requires demolition of all structures on the site, including the historic buildings previously recommended for inclusion on the RPS. The department's objection said the buildings proposed for demolition were previously referenced by An Bord Pleanala as being worthy of preservation in order to maintain the character of the existing streetscape, and had recommended their retention and reuse in any revised planning application. "The Department is of the view that the FI included a significant alteration to the original plans submitted....The Department is of the opinion that, given the significance of the change to the original, that the revised application should have been subject to a new application for planning permission," the letter of objection continues. "It is recommended...that An Bord Pleanala considers whether the permission as currently granted is appropriate." There were five third party appeals and a first party appeal lodged with the board against the council's decision. The appellants were Dunshaughlin Tidy Towns, Noel Larkin, Chartered Surveyors, on his own behalf, and on behalf of unnamed Dunshaughlin businesses; MacCabe Durney Barnes, Town Planners, on behalf of Paul Healy of SuperValu, and the government department. The Dunshaughlin Tidy Towns submission included a petition of signatures gathered against the proposals.