Go-ahead for Fernhill centre’s expansion
One of the best known garden centres in the Midlands – Fernhill in Athlone - is set for major expansion after Westmeath County Council granted planning permission for an extension to its existing premises on the Ballymahon Road.
The expansion plans at the thriving business will include its existing glazed atrium on the site being extended by 430 square metres; as well as the construction of a 905 square metre extension adjoining the north side of the existing atrium.
A 325 square metre retractable-roofed outdoor heavily planted seating and kids play area is planned at the east end of the existing cafe, as is the construction of a timber clad pavilion for the expansion of garden care, fertilisers, seeds and bulbs.
Council plannners also gave the go-ahead for the retention of 10 display log cabins at the north-west corner of the site; the demolition of part of the old stores at the stone administration building, and the construction of 135 square metres of an administration/office extension to same, together with a proposed new open yard area, and all associated works.
These works include an extension to the existing public car park at the front part of the site; the repositioning of existing lightweight canopy structures to make way for the proposed extensions, and the removal of an existing storage building.
Among the conditions attached to the grant of planning permission is the payment of a development contribution to the council amounting to €72,171.
The developer has also been requested to reposition one log cabin on the site, which was described in the council planner's report as being located “unduly close to the boundary addressing the Cornamagh Road”.
The applicant (Austin Reid) was asked, by way of a further information request in March, to reposition this cabin “away from Cornamagh Road”.
An architectural design statement which was submitted as part of the original planning application described Fernhill Garden Centre as a “flagship enterprise” in the wider Athlone area, having “grown incrementally” from humble beginnings to a company which now provides significant employment for local people both “on site and in the various landscape projects”.
Among the reasons outlined by the company for seeking the proposed development were the need to provide appropriate display space for “a widening product range”, the requirement to keep pace with competing similar centres in other large towns, and to provide for the “proper controlled organic growth” of the business over the next decade.