Athlone car sales expansion given planning nod for second time

An Athlone car dealership which had its planning application for a significant expansion of its sales facilities turned down by An Bord Pleanála in March of this year has now been given the go-ahead by plannners in Westmeath County Council for an "almost identical" development.

Michael Moore Care Sales Ltd, at Creggan Upper, Fardrum successfully submitted a new applocation to the council to establish a new standalone premises at its existing facility, which will consist of four new buildings and the demolition of a derelict house on a 4.08 acre) greenfield site to the west-northwest of the existing car dealership on the old Dublin road (N62).

The site was purchased by the applicants from adjoining landowners in 2023.

Plans to expand the sales facilities at the long-established local car dealership were first mooted in July 2023, when an initial planning application was submitted to Westmeath County Council for the proposed development.

Having obtained conditional planning approval in February of last year, the project hit a stumbling block when it was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by Transport Instrastructure Ireland (TII), which cited traffic concerns.

That appeal was subsequently upheld by the board despite the fact that they rejected the grounds of appeal raised by TII. They did, however, turn down planning permission because the applicants had failed to show there would be no adverse environmental impacts from the new facilities once they became operational.

Eighteen conditions have been attached to the new grant of planning permission for Michael Moore Car Sales, including that the company makes a special development contribution in respect of the provision of traffic calming measures, a right turn lane, associated road markings and surfaces and any other necessary additional works along the N62 which will benefit the proposed development.

This latter contribution is in addition to the €89,622 development contribution which the applicants are required to pay as part of the council's development contribution Scheme.

Michael Moore Car Sales Ltd, submitted their new planning application on May 29 last, with the accompanying planning report pointing out that the An Bord Pleanála had refused permission for "an almost identical development" on the basis of what they described as "an inconclusive Natura Impact Statement" in relation to discharge from the two proposed car washes.

In seeking to address this issue, the applicants proposed a "closed system car wash" that would recycle foul waters negating the need for discharge.In relation to concerns over traffic, the planning report suggested "a suite of traffic calming measures" to be employed on the N62, which the applicants were willing to pay a contribution charge towards, or undertake the work themselves, whichever the local authority decides is "most appropriate".

The applicants said they needed to expand their sales facilities in order to relocate their Mercedes Benz sales area to a standalone facility.

They said the site would site will comprise two showrooms, along with two valet and car wash buildings.

The plans also include a new access road off the N62, customer and staff car parking; bicycle parking; electric vehicle charging points; and landscaping.