2560014

for the change of use of the existing ground floor entrance, plus first and second floors, from vacant Offices to Residential Apartments, which includes two 1 bed apartments and one 2 bed apartment on the first floor and one 2 bed apartment on the second floor. This building is a Protected Structure: RPS No. B11-48, NIAH Ref. 11804029

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The development constitutes substandard residential accommodation as all four apartments fail to meet the minimum floor area, internal storage, and private open space requirements set out in the 2023 Sustainable Urban Housing Guidelines.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The floor areas for all four apartments are significantly lower than the minimum required standards for one and two-bedroom units under the 2023 Ministerial Guidelines.
  • The proposed development lacks essential residential amenities, including adequate internal storage space and private or communal open space.
  • Granting permission would result in substandard residential development that injures the amenities of occupants and sets a poor precedent for future town centre conversions.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Chapter 3- HousingChapter 11- Built & Cultural HeritageChapter 14- Urban DesignChapter 15- Development Management StandardsLeixlip Local Area Plan 2020-2023 (as extended to 2026)Zoning A- Town Centre

Decision Document Summary

This application sought retention permission for the conversion of the upper floors of a three-storey Protected Structure at Main Street, Leixlip, from vacant offices into four apartments. Although the site is zoned for town centre use where residential development is permitted in principle, the proposal was refused because the units are significantly undersized and lack basic amenities like storage and open space. The planning authority determined that the development would provide a poor stand...
SOURCE PDFOpen Original
Note: If code appears below, the council site is blocking the preview. Please open the original file.