Major expansion planned at Fernhill Garden Centre

One of the most successful garden centres in the Midlands is set for a major expansion, after plans were lodged with Westmeath County Council just before Christmas for an ambitious project at Fernhill Garden Centre on the Ballymahon road.

Council planners are due to make a decision by February 22 next on the planning application which would see the existing glazed atrium on the site being extended by 430m2; the construction of a 905m2 extension adjoining the north side of the existing atrium; a 325m2 retractable-roofed outdoor heavily planted seating and kids play area at the east end of the existing cafe and the construction of a timber clad pavilion for the expansion of garden care, fertilisers, seeds and bulbs.

The application, which was submitted by Austin Reid, also seeks retention permission for the 10 display log cabins at the north-west corner of the site; the demolition of part of the old stores at the stone administration building and the construction of 135m2 of administration/office extension to same, together with a proposed new open yard area, and all associated works. These works will include an extension to the existing public car park at the front part of the site; the repositioning of existing lightweight canopy structures to make way for the proposed extensions and the removal of an existing storage building near the existing house.

The site is located at Fernhill Garden Centre on the Ballymahon Road, with frontage onto Garnfaile Road.

According to an architectural design statement prepared by Athlone-based Brendan McGettigan & Associates Ltd as part of the planning application, Fernhill Garden Centre is described as a “flagship enterprise” in the wider Athlone area, having “grown incrementally” from humble beginnings to a company which now provides significant employment for local people both “on site and in the various landscape projects” that the company is involved in.

The design statement outlines three main reasons for seeking the proposed development, including the need to provide appropriate display space for “a widening product range;” to keep pace with competing similar centres in other large town, particularly in Leinster and to provide for the “proper controlled organic growth” of the business over the next decade.

It also states that the current planning application will “compliment and complete” the existing facilities at Fernhill, and will provide a 'road map' for the future development of the centre over the next five to ten years.

The architectural design statement also points out that Athlone is “very fortunate” to have a facility of the calibre of Fernhill Garden Centre, and reiterates the importance of it being permitted to grow in line with the growth of Athlone and its population.

The design statement concludes that the “over-arching objective is to be a flagship destination experiental garden centre retailer in the realm of Garden Centre/allied uses and this scheme will allow it to fulfil that objective. “

The planning documents also reveal that Fernhill has invested heavily in an energy conservation strategy in recent years, including the installation of solar PV panels which now provide circa half the energy demand of the centre. “The same strategy will be continued in the new areas” points out the design document.

The company has also invested in water harvesting and recycling initiatives and they also engage in extensive composting of waste materials, both on site and through contract landscape works which are undertaken by the owners.

The glazed atrium at Fernhill Garden Centre is described in the architectural design statement as “the spine” off which the other areas of the existing building are accessed. It is proposed to continue and reinforce this spine into the new phase of the development by the proposed increase in the length of the atrium to link the new areas proposed at the eastern end of the main building.

The separate potting/storage sheds to the rear and north boundary of the site are described as “separate entities” and are not subject to the planning application.