2360214

creation of Rochford Mill Heritage Centre amenity which shall include, the renovation, upgrade, re-use and extension of existing two storey kiln building to serve as main reception building with reception area, bar/lounge, kitchen facilities and service rooms, and kiln exhibit room and display area to ground floor, and service rooms and restaurant /dining areas to 1st floor. Permission is sought to renovate, restore and repurpose: • existing three storey mill building as a museum building with internal exibit areas over all floors including external restoration of the mill race and mill wheel. • existing cottage building as a museum building with internal exibit areas. • existing outbuilding as a museum building. • existing two storey millers house as a ground floor museum with internal exhibit areas and to provide rear access and storage space to first floor. Permission is also sought to upgrade and restore original courtyard, to install external walkways, bridges, access laneways and exhibit areas, to upgrade existing entrance to public road, to construct a carpark and set down facilities, to install tertiary packaged wastewater treatment systems with associated filters and infiltration beds, to install surface water interseptor with attenuation tank and infiltration bed, and surface water soakholes and to upgrade all existing site services , permission is also sought to install six number detached single storey short term accommodation pods and all associated site works. A Natura Impact Statement has been submitted with this application

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The application failed to provide sufficient technical and operational information to demonstrate that the proposal would not adversely affect traffic safety on the N52, the commercial viability of the heritage centre, or the residential and environmental amenities of the area.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The applicant failed to demonstrate that the proposed development would not have a detrimental impact on the capacity, safety, or operational efficiency of the N52 National Secondary Road.
  • There is a lack of detailed information regarding the commercial viability and operational management of the proposed museum and heritage centre, which are necessary to justify the development in a rural, high-amenity area.
  • The proposal does not adequately address potential negative impacts on the residential amenity of adjacent properties or provide sufficient environmental assessments regarding flood risk, ecology, and heritage conservation.

Cited Policies (CDP)

CPO 5.2CPO 5.50CPO 5.64CPO 5.65CPO 6.2CPO 6.3CPO 6.5CPO 6.6CPO 6.7CPO 6.9CPO 6.16CPO 6.27CPO 6.28CPO 6.29CPO 6.30CPO 6.31CPO 6.32CPO 6.34CPO 6.37CPO 6.41CPO 6.44CPO 9.24CPO 9.33CPO 9.34CPO 9.36CPO 12.4CPO 12.6CPO 12.8CPO 12.37CPO 12.45CPO 12.56CPO 12.58CPO 12.63CPO 12.75CPO 14.1CPO 14.2CPO 14.4CPO 14.5CPO 14.7CPO 14.26CPO 14.44CPO 14.45CPO 14.46CPO 14.49CPO 14.54CPO 14.55CPO 14.56CPO 14.57CPO 16.52

Decision Document Summary

The proposal involves the creation of the Rochford Mill Heritage Centre at Rochfort Demesne, Co. Westmeath, featuring the renovation of historic mill buildings into a museum and restaurant, plus six accommodation pods. Located in a rural area designated as a High Amenity Area, the project was refused primarily due to significant concerns over traffic safety at the N52 junction, a lack of evidence regarding the project's commercial viability, and insufficient assessment of its impact on neighbori...
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