Plans for development at former Ardee Bread Company

Plans are underway for a development at the former Ardee Bread Company at Castle Street and Tierney Street, Ardee that could see the construction of new retail units and apartments.

Ardee Bakery Investments Limited has applied to Louth County Council for planning permission for the development which is taking place at two protected structures, Ardee Bread Company, protected structure reference 13823007, and the former Sheridan’s Services house, protected structure reference 13823006.

Ardee Bakery Investments Limited has applied for planning permission for the demolition of rear projections and outbuildings associated and within the curtilage of the protected structures along with demolition of the boundary wall to Tierney Street.

It is planning the construction of two apartment buildings ranging in height from two storeys to four storeys which will comprise a total 20 apartments, of which there are six, one-bed and 14, two-bed units, all with balconies or ground floor terraces along with provision of a communal space at roof level. It also seeks to construct a three bed semi detached dwelling and associated garden area.

In the former Ardee Bread Company building it seeks to develop two retail units at ground floor, two one-bed apartments at first floor level and a one-bed duplex apartment, as well as carrying out associated refurbishment works of the former Ardee Bread Company building.

It is also planning the adaptation and change of use of the former Sheridans Services house to provide for a  two-bed apartments and a one-bed apartment, along with the associated refurbishment works of the former Sheridans Services house.

The application also provides for items including the creation of a new pedestrian entrance from Tierney Street; associated bin and bicycle storage facility; and the provision of internal footpaths and communal space areas at ground level to include all hard and soft landscape works with planting and boundary treatments.

A decision is due on the planning application by 3 October with submissions due by 12 September.

According to the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, the former Ardee Bread Company is an end-of-terrace eleven-bay two-storey former bakery, built c. 1860. In its appraisal it says that "this former bakery retains a particularly fine shopfront notable for its curved glass display window and is arguably the best in the town.

"The inscribed threshold panel is an interesting detail and is a reminder of the central role such premises played in the community before mass production made such enterprises redundant. The long low form of the building returning to Tisdale Street is entirely in-keeping with the scale of Castle Street."

With regards the former Sheridan's Services house, it says that it is a terraced five-bay two-storey house, built c. 1840. In its appraisal it says that "this unassuming house contributes positively to the streetscape and retains some fine details including the doorcase and sill guards. The carriage arch is a surviving example of the provision for rear access common in rural Irish towns."