New filling station proposal approved in Hodson Bay

Roscommon County Council has cleared the way for a brand new petrol station to be built in Hodson Bay.

Back in September of 2020, Martin and Fiona Collins unveiled ambitious proposals to demolish an existing filling station to make way for a “new petroleum filling station comprising a new single storey building, including a convenience shop and ancillary areas, off-licence area, deli, seated café area” at Hodson Bay, Barrybeg.

An outdoor seated area, food stores, staff amenities, public amenities, a manager's office, staff accommodation, service rooms, and ATM also formed part of the original plans with a new site entrance.

However, the proposal was put on hold in November of last year, when Roscommon County Council was unhappy with the extent of the deli facility proposed and the expansion of the retail space. It also queried the development of a cafe facility.

The local authority also requested further information from the applicants in relation to lighting, traffic impacts from the N61, and a revised site layout among others.

That extra data was submitted in August this year following an extension of the time which allowed the council to make a final decision last month.

It ruled in favour of the applicants, approving the revised plans, subject to compliance with 23 separate planning conditions covering subjects like access to the site, traffic management, drainage and the payment of €29,970 as a special contribution for roadworks along with the main N61 Athlone to Roscommon Road to facilitate the project.

According to the planning documents, the existing site, stretching to 0.60 hectares comprises of a “filling station with forecourt and shop, a dwelling house and associated outbuilding and garage as a car showroom and vehicle maintenance”. In addition, the shop is “currently a 'Spar' convenience shop, with a seating area and a takeaway service (Supermacs)”.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), formerly the National Roads Authority, had earlier raised concerns about the project, saying that if approved, it would create an “adverse impact” on a national road.

It also said the development is located within an area currently under consideration as “a route option for a national road improvement scheme” and as a result is “premature” pending the determination of that route.