Planning board unanimously backs Chinatown project

At a meeting on Wednesday last, April 25, members of An Bord Pleanala unanimously reached a decision that could radically change the face of Athlone for generations to come. They decided to grant planning permission for Phase One of the International Trading Hub in Creggan, subject to 37 conditions. The development is to be used as a centre for international trade and commerce between China and the rest of the world. This first phase of the project is due to include three massive exhibition halls, nine smaller trade halls, and additional facilities totalling 102, 348 sq m (1.1m sq ft). It's due to form the first block of a much larger development that -- the developers expect -- would ultimately total a staggering 913,000 sq m and would become a commercial hub of global importance. The approval granted by An Bord Pleanala only covers Phase One of the project, and all additional phases would be subject to separate planning applications. In approving Phase One of the development, the board endorsed the view of planning inspector, Pauline Fitzpatrick, that it "would not adversely affect the landscape, would not seriously injure the visual or residential amenities of the area, would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience of road users, and would not give rise to any significant impacts on the natural heritage of the area." As a result, Ms Fitzpatrick concluded in her 61-page report, the development "would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area." She said the decision was taken in light of Athlone's status as part of the Midlands 'gateway' and was in accordance with the provisions of Westmeath County Council's Local Area Plan for Creggan. Among the 37 conditions attached by the board was the requirement that the developers agree a 'phasing programme' for the works with the local authority prior to the project's commencement, and that two of the major exhibition halls must be completed in full before the rest of the work gets underway. It was stipulated that the development could only be used as a trade hub and not for "any other purpose including manufacturing, industrial use or retail use." A condition stated that the 'China Hall', which is one of the three main halls for which permission has been granted, "shall not be used for concerts or other similar events and its hours of operation shall be between 10.00 and 19.00, Monday to Saturday." Another condition requires the developer to provide and operate a bus service between the Creggan site and Dublin airport at least every 30 minutes "to meet the needs of visitors," along with a bus service between Creggan and Athlone town every 10 to 20 minutes. It was also stipulated that construction work at the site could only take place between 8am and 7pm, Monday to Friday inclusive, between 8am and 2pm on Saturdays, and not at all on Sundays and public holidays. No deliveries to the site are to be allowed outside the hours of 8am to 10pm, Monday and Sunday. An archaeological appraisal of the site must also be carried out by a qualified archaeologist prior to the start of construction work. During her report, Ms Fitzpatrick responded to the six objections which were submitted to An Bord Pleanala (one of these, from Michael Moore, was recently withdrawn). Local residents Dermot and Mary Murray, and Conor and Catherine McCormack, objected to the development on numerous grounds, including the potential health impact the construction work could have on the Murrays' son's medical condition, the belief that the project should be based near an airport, and the impact it would have on the value of their property. The planning inspector stated that the construction and operation of the project would not "seriously depreciate the value of property" nearby, and that mitigation measures would be taken during construction "to limit potential effects on D & M Murray's son." Ms Fitzpatrick also said "there is no requirement" for the project to be based adjacent to an airport. Responding to An Taisce's concerns that the project was not viable, she said: "A vast range of information was provided with the proposal to justify its viability," and that the development was "a logical and planned extension eastwards of Athlone centre which is the designated direction for future development in statutory plans."