Skincare company's plans to transform Tipperary village's derelict barracks receive planning approval
Grown in a Garden Ltd. has secured planning permission to transform the former RIC and Garda barracks property in Mullinahone into a shop and café with a cosmetics manufacturing facility at the rear
Councillors have given the green light for a Tipperary village's historic police barracks, once occupied by the notorious Black and Tans, to be transformed by an Irish skincare company into a shop, café and manufacturing facility.
A proposal to materially contravene the Tipperary County Development Plan and permit the change of use of Mullinahone's derelict former Killaghy Street barracks building to a cosmetic manufacturing facility with a shop, café and external dining terrace and offices, was unanimously approved by Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District councillors at their monthly meeting last Thursday.
The redevelopment of the 19th century building is proposed by Grown in a Garden Ltd, the company that produces the Dublin Herbalists brand of organic skincare and beauty products. The company is currently based at The Square in Mullinahone and is looking to expand.
The project will include the building of a new single-storey manufacturing facility at the rear of the property and the renovation of the existing two-storey former barracks into the shop and café.
Mullinahone's old barracks is a protected structure. A plaque beside the front door details how the five-bay property was built as a RIC barracks circa 1849 and housed members of the Black and Tans during the War of Independence.
It became a Garda station following the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922 and operated as such until the 1950s when a new Garda station was built for the village in Carrick Street.
Caroline Conway of Tipperary County Council's Planning Section informed Carrick MD’s monthly meeting in Carrick Town Hall that the planning application for the former barracks property’s redevelopment was submitted to the Council on January 27. The Council sought further information in March and the company submitted that information on August 27.
The Senior Executive Planner outlined that the manufacturing that would be carried out at the proposed facility will involve the melting of essential oils and ingredients, the mixing of natural butters and soaps and the bottling of products.
While the nature of the activity proposed on the site was small scale and could be considered to be a “cottage industry”, it was effectively a “light industrial” activity, which was not permitted in the town centre land use zone.
However, she pointed out the Council considered the processes to be carried out in the facility will not have a negative impact on the amenities of the village centre.
This, along with the fact the company planned to renovate and reutilise a protected structure in Mullinahone and introduce a retail use, meant the Council considered the development will ultimately have a positive impact on the village.
In view of this, she said the Council recommended the material contravention of the County Development Plan be approved as it was satisfied the proposal could be accommodated in the village centre zoned lands and would be in accordance with the wider proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
Ms Conway also told councillors there was a four-week public consultation in relation to the material contravention proposal and one submission was received from Uisce Éireann.
Responding to a query from Labour Cllr Michael 'Chicken' Brennan, Ms Conway said Uisce Éireann has advised the applicant that water and wastewater connections for the facility are feasible without infrastructure upgrades by Uisce Éireann.
However, the utility advised that no surface water discharge to the wastewater collection and conveyance network from the proposed development can be accommodated.
She indicated the Council will be advising the applicant to enter into talks with Uisce Éireann on alternative surface water drainage proposals to ensure there is no issue with surface water discharge to the wastewater network.
At the conclusion of Ms Conway’s report to the meeting, Cllr Brennan proposed to approve the material contravention of the Tipperary County Development Plan and grant planning permission for the development, and Fine Gael Cllr Mark Fitzgerald seconded the proposal.