Locals express concerns over Northgate Street building project
A former Green Party councillor in Athlone has described plans by Westmeath County Council to transform the town's former Athlone Workhouse administration block on Northgate Street into a smart innovation and co-working hub as “premature demolition”.
As part of the public consultation process which ends today (Wednesday), local architect and ex-councillor Louise Heavin was one of a number of people to make submissions on the controversial plan to remove a a number of extensions to the original workhouse structure dating from 1841.
The demolition works will be to ground slab level only, prior to the undertaking of archaeological investigation works.
Ms Heavin says in her submission that she would “strongly support” the development of a co-working space in Athlone and would be “a regular user” if such a facility were opened on the Northgate Street site.
However, she takes issue with the plan by the council to demolish part of the building and argues that retaining and reusing the existing structures on the site would preserve the building's “unique story” and would also provide “distinctive, characterful spaces” that are highly attractive to remote workers and start-ups.
“This approach would avoid the significant costs and delays associated with demolition and new construction, while delivering a high-quality co-working facility that meets the needs of Athlone’s growing remote working sector” she argues.
Her submission also states that seeking permission for demolition and enabling works before a full redevelopment proposal has been submitted was “contrary” to the Westmeath County Development Plan, which states that demolition of structures of heritage value should “only be considered where a comprehensive and high-quality redevelopment proposal is presented and assessed for its contribution to the area’s character and vibrancy.”
Ms Heavin's submission also argued that proposed approach contravenes the Westmeath Climate Action Plan, Irish Government policy on the circular economy and town centres, and relevant EU Directives.
In addition, she states that the use of EU Just Transition funding does not override the need to comply with “planning, climate, and heritage policy,” and says the case for demolition has “not been justified” in the absence of a “clear, approved vision” for the site's future.
A sum of €1 million has already been secured for the enabling works on the site from the EU Just Transition Fund.
The risk of urban blight and dereliction is another issue raised in Louise Heavin's submission, in which she says approving demolition prior to a redevelopment plan for the Northgate Street site “risks creating a vacant or derelict site” which would be contrary to planning policy around the "reuse and revitalisation" of existing town centre sites.
A submission from Ciaran Harte under the heading of 'Higher Education' calls for the establishment of a music conservatory on the site of the Northgate St building, given Athlone’s “strong musical heritage" and its central location.
Mr Harte reference institutions such as the Army Band, the Athlone School of Music, and the successful Féile na Sionainne traditional music festival, as well as this year's launch of the Croílar Festival, as examples of the strong musical tradition in the town.
His submission suggests a partnership between TUS Athlone and the local Municipal District could assist in providing the necessary infrastructure and facilities needed to establish a “centre of musical excellence” for the Midlands, and feels this option was not fully considered and should be revisited.
Mr Harte also argues in his submission that the current design “does not adequately protect” the building's original character or heritage features such as the traditional cast iron railings and the mortuary chapel.
A seven-page submission from John Rattigan, made under the conservation heading, welcomes the fact that a move is being made to work on the historic complex on Northgate Street, but adds that “no further development” should take place on the site until “a clear and comprehensive plan is prepared” for it.
He points out that any plan for the site should be inclusive of the complete Workhouse complex and history, the Masters Building and the Workhouse itself, which is currently used as St Mary’s Hall.
He argues that the Northgate St complex subject to the proposed works represents “the last remaining physical structures of any importance” remaining in the Athlone urban area, and is a “publically inherited complex by the people of Athlone.”
As such, the submission states that it should be developed and available “via correct management, to both Athlone people and visitors alike and (to) educational establishments,” and would prove to be “a very positive additional and supporting facility” to that of Athlone Castle with the potential to increase the tourism “attraction, appeal and footfall for intending visiting tourists.”
The submission from John Rattigan, which calls for the establishment of “a well thought-out heritage project” for the site, concludes by pointing out that tourism is our largest industry and “possibly the greatest employer” at the present time.
Another submission under the conservation heading – whose author remains anonymous – outlines the need for Athlone to have a hospital that is “adequate for the future,” particularly in light of “a projected population increase to 100,000 people by 2040.”
As the Northgate St site is adjacent to the former St Vincent's Hospital, the submission argues that the site “needs to be converted for either to be part of the hospital or for accommodation for hospital staff, etc,” and it contends that Athlone already has enough buildings that serve the public and business.
The submission argues that “the bottleneck” for Athlone to move from town to city status is a hospital, and therefore the town “can't afford to lose valuable inner city land for anything less” than a hospital.
Westmeath County Council's ambitious redevelopment project for the former Athlone workhouse, which is being undertaken in conjunction with TUS, is expected to cost in the region of €10 million and is due to see the site being developed into the Athlone Smart Innovation & Co-Working Hub.
As part of their plans for the site, the local authority is proposing to secure the former workhouse and carry out essential repairs and maintenance to the original fabric, including roofs, gutters, downpipes and ancillary works.
Temporary hoarding is to be erected around the site for the duration of the proposed works, with the existing stone walls and railings to be retained.
The project is being carried out under the Part 8 planning process, by which local authorities and other bodies consult with the public about their own projects.
The submissions referred to in this article can be read in full on the Westmeath County Council website here.