Planning permission sought for 36 apartments at Abbey Road
A planning application for the development of 36 modern, energy-efficient homes at No. 6 at No. 7 Abbey Road Cottages, Athlone, has been lodged with Westmeath County Council.
Abbey Road GLS has applied to the council for the partial demolition of the two existing, vacant bungalows at 6 and 7 Abbey Road. The remaining elements of both cottages will be renovated and incorporated into two separate blocks of accommodation.
The applicant is seeking permission for the development of 36 own-door access residential units, which will be split over four blocks.
Block A will be part two-storey, part single storey and will incorporate the remaining structure of no. 7 Abbey Road. It will comprise five units - three one-bed apartments located at ground floor level and a one-bed apartment and two-bedroom apartment on the first floor.
Block B is also part two-storey, part single storey, and incorporates the remaining structure of no. 6 Abbey Road. It will consist of seven units - three one-bed apartments and one two-bed apartment at ground floor level and two one-bed apartments and one two-bed apartment at first floor level.
Block C is three-storey high and consists of four one-bed apartments, located at ground floor level, two two-bed apartments, located on the first floor, and two two-bed apartments, located on the second floor.
Block D is three-storey and consists of eight one-bed apartments at ground floor level, four two-bed apartments, located on the first floor level, and four two-bed apartments located on the second floor.
The application also seeks permission for car parking, bicycle parking and bin storage provision; the provision of public amenity spaces and public lighting; the installation of a pumping station; connection to the public sewer, watermain and surface water and proposed access roads from the public carriageway.
Planning documents state that the site is a large brownfield site, measuring 0.45Ha and includes two derelict and vacant semi-detached bungalows.
The site is earmarked for existing residential development within the Athlone Town Development Plan 2014-2020.
Documents submitted to the council with the planning application state: "The proposed development seeks to create a distinctive, sustainable residential community on underutilised land within the town centre and aims to address the current housing needs in the area."
The documents point out that the site location promotes walking and cycling among residents and inclusion of cycle storage encourages residents to cycle, reducing the impact of vehicular traffic on local roads.
The location of the development will provide residents with good connections to a wide range of facilities and the public transport network.
The applicant points out that the proposal will positively contribute to the existing dwelling mix in the locality by providing dwelling types that are not widely available.
The planning application was lodged with Westmeath County Council on September 5, with the closing date for submissions being October 9. A decision is due from the local authority on October 30.