Plans for revamp of protected structure in Tipperary refused by council
The council have refused planning for a protected structure in Thurles
Planning was submitted to turn a protected structure located on Parnell Street in Thurles from a barber shop/retail area unit on the ground floor into a living accommodation.
Drawings submitted in the plans for the property which dates back to around 1890 included the creation of three bedrooms and a home office as well as a bathroom, kitchen and utility area
A report undertaken by the council’s Executive Architectural Conservation Officer stated concerns that the “application is not considered to take adequate account of the architectural and historic significance of the subject site in designing an otherwise acceptable change of use for the buildings.”
Subsequently, planning permission was refused by the council this month, stating: “The Tipperary County Development Plan 2022 seeks to encourage and support the sympathetic restoration, re-use and maintenance of protected structures thereby ensuring their conservation and protection.”
The council stated in their decision letter that they thought the “proposed development would not result in the sympathetic restoration, re-use and maintenance of the building which is a Protected Structure and would not preserve the features of interest associated with this structure.”
The council also stated that the proposed development would conflict with Policy 7.5 of the Thurles Local Area Plan 2024 and Policy 13-1 of the Tipperary County Development Plan 2022-2028.
They concluded that “The proposal if permitted would create an undesirable precedent for similar proposals of this nature and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”