2332
Permission for (i) The demolition of 2 existing outbuildings along with (ii) The demolition of existing pub building and ancillary sheds, neighbouring former shop and residential building together with existing cottage ruin walls; (iii) The construction of 2 No. 3 bedroom townhouses, 4 No. 2 bedroom townhouses and 2 No 1 Bedroom apartments; (iv) The construction of a 2 storey Café/Restaurant unit; (v) Along with new roadside openings onto Old Circular Road and Castle Street, ancillary parking, signage, green areas, connection to all services and all other associated site works at
Core Refusal Reason
The proposed development represents overdevelopment of a constrained site, characterized by a significant shortfall in car parking, inappropriate design and siting at a focal town entry point, and unresolved technical concerns regarding the River Jiggy culvert and local ecology.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposal constitutes overdevelopment of the site, failing to provide adequate car parking and including an apartment element that is considered unsuitable for the 'Existing Residential' zoning of the land.
- The architectural design and siting are deemed inappropriate for this prominent focal entry point to Roscommon Town, with the planner citing a lack of variation in the townhouses and a domineering café/restaurant design that fails to respect the existing streetscape.
- Significant technical and environmental risks remain unaddressed, specifically regarding the structural integrity of the River Jiggy culvert, inadequate nature-based surface water management, and the absence of a bat survey to assess impacts on protected species.