Five-year planning extension granted for Bower apartments project

By Rebekah O'Reilly

A five-year extension has been granted for plans to turn the former Bower Convent in Athlone into a major residential development.

Planning permission was originally granted for a 99-unit residential development on the site on July 23, 2021, and this had been due to expire on August 29, 2026.

The planning extension sets a new August 2031 date for the completion of the works.

Wincove Land Limited’s application to Westmeath County Council for the timeframe extension said the development had not been commenced due to "the recent humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine followed by request from [the council] to accommodate a number of Ukrainian refugees for a number of years".

Part of the site was used to host Ukrainian refugees for some years, with Bower Hall currently operating as student accommodation.

The original planning permission for the site at Aghacocara and Loughanaskin, Lower Rd, Athlone, involved a change of use of the old 1889 Our Lady's Bower Convent building, and a later 1960s extension, from a convent and boarding school to library and residential apartments.

A new residential apartment block extension to the north-west side of the existing 1960s building is also in the plans, and an additional new residential apartment block is planned for the old tennis courtyards at the south-east part of the site.

In total, the project which was approved comprises some 99 units. The old convent building is to be converted into eleven apartments and a library. The later extension is to house 33 apartments, while the new buildings are designed to accommodate 52 apartments and three three-bed town houses.

Provision was also made for a library, creche and a small museum element recognising the role of the La Sainte Union Sisters who founded the convent.