Builder seeks extra time to finish St Mary’s Place project

A local building company is looking for extra time to complete a retail/housing scheme in St Mary's Place, Athlone.

PD Contractors Ltd, with an address in Summerhill Business Park, Athlone, has applied for an extension of the planning permission to finish a development to the rear of the old Texas Centre close to the car park.

What's involved is the retention and completion of three partially constructed retail units and the provision of nine maisonette dwellings, with bin storage and a bike stand.

All foundations, the main concrete frame and blockwork to the first floor are in place, according to the planning documents lodged on December 8, and what the developer is seeking is an additional 18 months duration to finish the project fully.

It adds that the project is expected to be completed by August 11, 2025.

Covid-19 set the project back two years, the application form states giving the reasons for the delay in starting, and the developer had problems obtaining finance, which is now sorted and construction is moving at pace on-site.

It's envisaged that the roof will be on, windows in and external plastering will be completed by February 11 when the original permission expires, it continues.

Back in 2018, a company called ERS Developments Ltd, got conditional planning approval for retention and completion of three partially constructed retail units and nine maisonette dwellings in St Mary's Place, Irishtown.

Westmeath County Council is due to decide on the latest plan to extend the planning approval for the project by February 10 next.