Housing project approved for ex-Carmelite site in Moate

The Joint CEO of Sophia Housing Association Eamonn Martin has declared himself hopeful of progressing a new residential project for the vulnerable over the next few months on part of the former Carmelite College in Moate, a development which recently received the planning green light from Westmeath County Council. First mooted some years ago, the 25-unit project went back in for planning this year after a number of adjustments were made to the design of the venture, one that will see the demolition of an existing two storey accommodation building, a two storey meeting hall and two single storey agricultural buildings on the well known Moate site. "Negotiations will now begin with Westmeath County Council and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The majority of funding would come from the Department," Eamonn Martin, Joint CEO of Sophia Housing Association told the Westmeath Independent this week. Although Mr Martin admitted the economic climate has changed since the plans were first announced and the cost will be "substantial", he still expressed hopes of making significant progress over the next few months. "It will probably be more difficult to acquire funding but now that we have planning in place we can concentrate on the funding aspect," Mr Martin observed. "The project will be for people with varying needs and disabilities," he added. The charity intends building 25 residential units and associated administration and communal spaces at the old college, while it also plans to refurbish and convert the former Carmelite Monastery on Newtown Road, which is a protected structure, to provide six single-bedroom apartments with communal administration facilities, communal meeting rooms and a communal laundry. A part two-storey and part single-storey building on the Southern edge of the site, comprising seven one-person studio apartments and a communal kitchen, dining and lounge area, with associated balconies is also earmarked. Also planned is a two storey building on the Northern edge of the site comprising four two-bedroom apartments and private gardens; a two-storey terrace of four three-bedroomed houses; a two-storey terrace comprising four three-bedroomed houses and 29 parking spaces. The Dublin-based Sophia Housing Association was founded in 1998 when a group of lay people and religious came together to help people on the margins have a better way of living. It operates a number of housing projects nationwide including a substantial 50-unit development in Cork Street, Dublin. The association is a voluntary, non-profit making organisation which will has as one of its aims the provision of good quality, affordable housing for those on low-incomes. The Moate project developed with the support of the Carmelite Order, aims to provide much needed housing options for those on and eligible for Westmeath County Council housing list in Moate and surrounding areas.