New housing development commences at former Dundalk orphanage
Apartment complex planned for former St. Joseph's Female Orphanage & Industrial School and St Malachy's Convent
Work has commenced this week on a housing development at the former St. Joseph's Female Orphanage & Industrial School and St Malachy's Convent, at Seatown Place, Castle Street, Dundalk, that will see the provision of a new apartment complex.
Mr Laurence Tuite was granted planning permission for the development by Louth County Council, and subsequently An Bord Pleanála subject to revised conditions, following an appeal against the local authority's decision to grant planning.
A number of submissions had been made against the original planning application, with reasons for objecting to the development including traffic impact and safety considerations, car parking provision and waste management.
The original planned development comprises the complete restoration and refurbishment of the two protected structures to the front of the site; the demolition of the existing gymnasium, classroom, laundry and workshop building to the rear of the property at Castle Street; and the development of 58 apartments in two blocks, 31 apartments in one block, and 27 apartments in another.
The former St Joseph's Female Orphanage & Industrial School is a protected structure, listed in the local authority's Record of Protected Structures as RPS D290, and St. Malachy's Convent is also protected structure, (RPS D292). Both are located in an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA).