Plans approved for community office at former Moate fire station

Plans to transform a long-vacant former fire station in Moate into a new community office have been approved by Westmeath County Council, with councillors describing the project as a significant boost for the town centre.

The proposal relates to the refurbishment and change of use of the building adjacent to Moate Library on Main Street, a protected structure which also previously functioned as a courthouse.

The issue came before the March meeting of the council as part of the Part 8 process by which local authorities consult with the public on their own projects.

Introducing the item, Cathaoirleach Aoife Davitt invited members to consider the Chief Executive’s report on the development.

Chief executive Barry Kehoe said the building had remained idle since a fire “eight or ten years ago” and had not been used since. He said the council had been working to bring the structure back into use as an office space for the local town team and community group.

“This is the old fire station adjacent to the library, formerly the courthouse in Moate on the main street,” he said, adding that funding had already been secured towards the project.

Mr Kehoe outlined that the proposal had gone through the required public consultation process, with submissions invited between December and February.

He said the council’s conservation architect had reviewed the plans and supported the refurbishment as “positive and welcome as a return to reuse”, subject to a number of conditions relating to heritage protection.

These include appropriate treatment of historic features, the use of traditional materials such as sash windows, careful detailing where new elements meet the original structure, and consultation with conservation specialists where historic features are uncovered.

Two public submissions were received, including one raising suggestions around the internal layout, which Mr Kehoe noted could be adjusted outside the planning process. A second submission, on behalf of the Moate Town Team, expressed strong support for the development.

Recommending approval, Mr Kehoe said the proposal was consistent with the county development plan as well as local, regional and national planning policy, including the Moate Town Centre First plan.

Councillors voiced strong backing for the project during the meeting.

Cllr Tom Farrell said the initiative had widespread local support and would provide a valuable facility for the community.

“The whole of Moate are behind this project, because it’s going to be used to open up a community office for the people, and also bring the library into more being as well,” he said.

He added that further plans were already being explored to expand the project, including the possibility of linking the building with the library and other historic structures.

Cllr John Dolan also indicated his support, while Cllr Frankie Keena welcomed the proposal and paid tribute to the late Peter Dolan, who had long advocated for the building’s reuse through the Moate Action Group.

“We are excited to have that available for a community office,” he said.

Cllr Vinny McCormack, who seconded the approval, described the project as “hugely significant” for the town and its ongoing regeneration.

“There’s huge potential with the fulfilment of this project… that will have a great impact and would certainly be well utilised as an office within the town core,” he said.

With no objections raised, the proposal was approved, clearing the way for works to proceed on the revitalisation of the historic building.

Council officials said the development would support the work of the Moate Town Team while contributing to the broader regeneration of the town centre.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme