Core Refusal Reason
The proposed change of use from commercial to residential would diminish the retail function and break the continuous commercial frontage within the designated Core Retail Area of Wicklow Town.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The site is located within the Core Retail Area of Wicklow Town where planning policies specifically seek to retain ground floor units in retail use to protect town centre vitality and viability.
- The subject unit was in retail use until recently, and the applicant failed to demonstrate that continued retail or commercial use in this location is no longer viable.
- The conversion to residential use would result in a 'break' in the continuous commercial frontage, thereby undermining the established retail role and function of this part of the town centre.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Objective RT10Objective RT11Objective TR1
Decision Document Summary
The application proposed the change of use of a ground-floor commercial unit to a one-bedroom apartment at New Street, Wicklow Town, including revisions to the front elevation. Although the initial reporting planner recommended a grant of permission, this was superseded by a supplementary report from the Senior Executive Planner. The application was ultimately refused because the site is situated within the 'Core Retail Area' of the town; the planning authority determined that the loss of a stre...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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