2560634

a stand alone beauty parlour at the rear of existing hairdressers. The application will also include retention permission for an extension to the rear of her existing hairdressers and retention permission for two number apartments on the first floor.

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The development was refused due to substandard residential amenity for the apartments, which fail to meet minimum floor area and light standards, and the inappropriate, fragmented design of the standalone commercial structure.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The residential units provide a poor standard of amenity for occupants, failing to meet minimum floorspace, room width, and daylight standards, while lacking private open space and adequate refuse storage.
  • The standalone structure at the rear is considered an incongruous and unauthorised addition due to its poor design, lack of physical connection to the main building, and fragmented, piecemeal form.
  • The development is contrary to the Athlone Town Development Plan 2014-2020 and national Planning Design Standards for Apartments, setting an undesirable precedent for disjointed development in the town centre.

Cited Policies (CDP)

P-RET3P-RLD3P-RD2P-RD3O-LZ3Section 4.1912.12

Decision Document Summary

The application sought permission for a standalone beauty parlour and retention for a two-storey rear extension comprising a hairdressing salon expansion and two first-floor apartments at Brideswell Street, Athlone. Westmeath County Council refused the proposal primarily because the residential units provide substandard living conditions with inadequate light, space, and access. Furthermore, the standalone structure—which was found to be already operating as a massage parlour—was deemed to be an...
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