Refurbishment plan for former John Broderick home

Plans have been submitted to Westmeath County Council for the proposed refurbishment and conversion of the former family home of Athlone novelist John Broderick.

Known as 'The Old House', the protected structure currently provides accommodation at The Moorings on Ballymahon Road with the existing building comprising of five apartments.

The residence was the Broderick family home during the 1960s and 1970s before the renowned writer sold the property in the 1980s and retired to Bath in England.

If planning permission is approved by the local authority, the development, when complete, will comprise of nine new apartments, five of which will have two bedrooms, the remaining four having one bedroom.As part of the planning permission submitted to Westmeath County Council, applicants OH Business Consultancy Ltd. are proposing the refurbishment and conversion of an existing two storey over basement protected structure into six apartments.

The proposed works will entail the demolition of an existing modern glazed front porch and a two storey rear extension for the construction of a new two-storey rear extension.

The planning permission submitted also states that the refurbishment and conversion of an existing single storey outbuilding to the rear of the existing building into a storey and a half structure will contain an additional two apartments.

Additional works proposed by the applicants includes the construction of a separate new single storey apartment building consisting of one apartment to the rear of the protected structure.

Westmeath County Council is due to issue a decision on the planning application is due by January 17.