Setback for Coosan Men's Shed as centre plans rejected
Plans by Coosan Men's Shed for a new community social and learning centre adjacent to St Kieran's Community Centre have suffered a major setback after Westmeath County Council turned down the project, saying it would result in a “serious risk to road safety”.
Back in June, Coosan Men's Shed sought approval to construct a new two-storey facility on part of a greenfield site adjoining the existing community centre and childcare facility, to the rear of Tormey Villas, and to the west of the AC Celtic playing grounds.
The proposed centre, which received many letters of support from local businesses and community organisations during the planning process, was envisaged to cover some 436 square metres of space over two floors in a rectangular structure on 0.22 hectare site.
On the ground floor, it would provide for two large workshops, canteen, office and sanitary facilities, while on the first floor, a computer training room, canteen and two general purpose rooms with pool tables, TV/indoor bowls, training and wellbeing room were proposed.
However, in the decision issued on August 2, the local authority refused planning approval, stating that the pattern of the development in the immediate vicinity, and the capacity of approach road required to access the site, likely traffic movements and limited car parking provision, it was considered to permit the development would “compromise the future comprehensive development of the subject lands and would pose a serious risk to road safety and negatively impact on the residential amenities of adjoining residents” due to the increased traffic movements and extra parking demands likely to be generated.
The council verdict also referred to the immediate proximity and relationship of the proposed site to adjoining sporting and community uses on a restricted area which is encompassed within the overall site, and which is zoned open space and sporting and recreation. According to the planning report, the project envisaged would cater for 100 men of all ages by providing a “social gathering space” and a place to provide services.
It would also allow the amalgamation of three former Men's Sheds formally existing in Athlone town prior to Covid, and closed due to inadequate facilities and resources, the planning documents detailed, adding that the current Men's Shed in Coosan is housed within a steel container which is “inadequate to cater for the demand for their service”.
A large number of local community organisations and businesses sent in letters of support for the Men's Shed project, including Grow Mental Health, the Irish Wheelchair Association, An Garda Síochána in Athlone, the HSE, Jazz Pharmaceuticals and Retreat Nursing Home.
RAPID (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) said that there is “a desperate need for a proper Men's Shed in the Athlone area, to help men who have retired, struggling with mental health issues or just want somewhere to go to utilise their skills or learn new ones”.
Athlone Family Resource Centre underlined that there is “a gap in community groups for men in Athlone” that the new Coosan Men's Shed could fill. A previous application for the same area was lodged in 2022 but deemed withdrawn by the local authority, when a request for further information was not met by the applicant within the required timeframe. The group can appeal the latest verdict by Westmeath County Council to reject the plans to An Bord Pleanála within four weeks of the decision date.