Town centre street extension proposed for Irishtown area

Athlone Town Council is proposing the extension of the existing TP O"Connor Street with buildings of up to four storeys in height. The proposals were made as part of a draft Local Area Plan for the Irishtown area currently on display at Athlone Civic Centre. Submissions are invited from the public until Wednesday, May 20. The plan covers Sean Costello Street, John Broderick Street and TP O"Connor Street in the Irishtown area. The plan, or urban design framework, is examining the lands in the area with a view to potential future design of the area, which is considered to be underutilised at present. The plan identifies some new land uses for the area and says the future success of the area is dependent on these new land uses. The plan examines the possible connection of TP O"Connor Street (the street that joins John Broderick Street between (Savoury Fare and O"Brien"s Sandwich Bar) into the new residential development to the east and says the potential extension of this street could open up more land for sensitive urban infill development, which would create permeability and integration and improve this quarter of Irishtown. The urban design framework, which is currently on display, aims to increase connectivity within the site, improve car parking and access and create a new civic space. In order to improve the permeability and connectivity of the area, the plan proposes extending TP O"Connor Street eastwards to the Earl site near Supermac"s in lower Irishtown. The plan states: 'This objective facilitates the formation of two perimeter blocks to the north and south respectively. The scale and size of these urban blocks are in keeping with both traditional block sizes in Athlone and more recently completed urban blocks to the west of the subject site.' In order to minimise congestion on the existing and proposed streets in the area, the plan aims to accommodate car parking in a subterranean car park beneath the proposed southern perimeter block. The plan also proposes the creation of a small new civic space in the vicinity of Payne"s Lane where buildings are set back to define the public space. It has a good sun aspect and it is hoped it would offer a space for locals and visitors alike. It is planned to pave this civic space and include street furniture, trees, bins and street lights. Building heights will vary in the area, according to the plan, with a maximum height of four to five storeys permitted on the north side of John Broderick Street. A building height of two storeys will be maintained on Sean Costello Street with two to two and a half storeys permitted on TP O"Connor Street, though three storeys may be permitted in some cases and three to four storeys will be permitted on the south side of TP O"Connor Street. The plan is currently on display at Athlone Civic Centre and submissions can be made until 4pm on Wednesday, May 20.