Wicklow seafront's old brown gym building to become residential

An Bord Pleanála has overturned a decision by Wicklow County Council refusing permission to change the usage of a building on Wicklow's sea front from a gym to residential. Last year Maurice Sheehy applied to Wicklow County council for a change of use of a building previously used as a gym to residential building consisting of four apartments at ground floor level with private terracing, with unchanged plans granted to two apartments with balconies and changes to roof profile at first floor level, alterations to external facades including windows, doors, eternal wall rendering and associated works. However, the local authority planning section refused permission on the grounds that the development was considered contrary to the harbour strategy in place as part of the Wicklow town and Rathnew Development Plan 2013-2019 and was also considered contrary to the Town Centre zoning objective.  An appeal was lodged with An Bord Pleanála, who back in August of 2017 gave permission for a change of use at the same premises from gym to a mixed development consisting of licensed restaurant/café, beach shop with take-away facility, and function room, all at ground floor level, and two one-bedroom apartments at first floor level, and alterations to external facades.

Read the full article @ The Wicklow People

The Board's decision and Inspector's Report can be viewed here.

The Board stated in making the decision:

"Having regard to the Town Centre zoning objective for the area, the existing pattern of development in the vicinity and recent planning history relating to the site, it is considered that, subject to compliance with the conditions set out below, the proposed development would not contravene the provisions of the Wicklow Town – Rathnew Development Plan 2013-2019, would be compatible with the existing pattern of development in the vicinity and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area".