Go ahead for residential and commercial project in the heart of Glasson
Plans for a residential and commercial development on a greenfield site in the centre of Glasson have been given the go-ahead by Westmeath County Council.
The proposed development by applicant, Strongly Ltd, involves 10 residential units along with 106sq.m of commercial space on a site directly opposite the Garda Station in the centre of the village.
The development would consist of two ground-floor commercial units, and one one-bed apartment, with two two-bed apartments at first floor level in a two-storey building facing the existing street.
It would also encompass seven detached private dwellings to the rear of the site with ancillary detached home offices, associated parking and private gardens.
Westmeath County Council granted approval for the project last week, subject to 26 conditions. These include that all residential units are restricted to first occupation by individual purchasers i.e. those not being a corporate entity, or by those eligible for the occupation of social or affordable housing, including cost rental housing.
Full details of each future occupier of the commercial units must be agreed in writing with the planning authority in advance.
It also said new road safety audits should be carried out at the detailed design stage of the project and post construction
Traffic concerns were raised by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) – and it was among the issues cited in a further information request sent by council planners last year.
On foot of the applicant's response, TII reiterated its stance that the development would be “at variance with official policy in relation to control of development on/affecting national roads”.
It went on to recommend that a Road Safety Audit (RSA) should be carried out by the developer with any recommendations incorporated in the proposed development by amendment to the existing planning application or as conditions on the permission, if granted. Any additional works required as a result of the audit should be funded by the developer, it said.
In making a decision on the application, Westmeath County Council planners considered that the measures outlined by the applicant in terms of traffic calming measures would allay any associated TII concerns.
According to an Architectural Design Statement prepared by Athlone-based MMA Architects, the proposed development will “mirror the architectural style” of the village core of Glasson and, in particular, Glasson House to the north west.
“As a consequence, it is seen as “an enhancement to the character of the village” by creating a new active frontage that “aligns with the street.”
The design statement also outlines details of how the developers of the project plan to use changes in floor levels to respond to the sloped nature of the site, and they point out that the proposal to locate the mixed-use frontage in a two-storey building is “in keeping with the Georgian style and scale seen in the village”.