Go-ahead for residential plan at former Carmelite building

A new 26-unit residential project has got the green light on the site of a historic Moate building.

Westmeath County Council granted planning approval to Keenan Homes Ltd on December 20 last for the “multi-unit residential scheme” on a 0.59-hectare site of what's called the former Carmelite Monastery, a listed building, at Legan, Newtown, Moate.

The initial plans were for 23 units, however, following a further information request from the council in July seeking changes to the design and layout that the proposal was extensively revised and redesigned. Westmeath County Council had initially expressed concern that the scheme because of its design, layout and density was “surburban in nature” and not “befitting of the sensitive backlands site”.

“The layout now provides for a high standard of design and various house types linked by a common palette of finishes,” the developer said in November, after submitting new documentation to show the revisions to the original development.

The project will involve the demolition of two separate two-storey dormitory buildings and two agricultural buildings on the site, along with modifications to what's described as the former Carmelite Monastery residential building consisting of remodelling, reuse and an extension of the three-storey premises which is a protected structure.

It's envisaged as part of the plans that these would become home to nine apartments with another three storey apartment block housing eight apartment units.

The second element of the application initially covered the construction of 14 new two-storey semi-detached dwellings to the rear or east of the protected structure dating back to 1800, according to its listing in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH), which documents and provides a description of listed buildings countrywide.

However, following the redesign of the scheme this element has been altered to a three-storey terrace which would be home to three four bed homes, and six two-storey three bed semi-detached homes.

The planning permission just before Christmas carries 18 conditions, including that the all the residences would have first occupation by individual purchasers, rather than by a corporate entity.

According to NIAH, the Carmelite Monastery in Moate is a detached eight-bay two-storey over basement house, built circa 1800 and extended to the south and altered around 1870.

While the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage website points out that the premises may have been originally built as a house during the early years of the 19th century, it was later in use as a monastery (1837).

It was greatly extended to the south with a breakfront, defined in architectural terms as a building with sections that protrudes, usually in thirds which was added around 1870, shortly after the associated Carmelite church was completed to the north. It, the building, is indicated as a ‘convent’ at this time, the NIAH listing also said.

It also described the building as “an important physical reminder of the history of the Carmelite community and their social/educational role in Moate since the early nineteenth century”.

This monastery forms part of an important pair of related structures with the associated church, it added.