Green light for St Michael’s Hall plan in Cootehill

Exciting plans to redevelop and extend St Michael's Hall in Cootehill have been rubber stamped by Cavan County Council.

The Fairgreen Community Centre Committee has secured planning permission to carry out conservation works to the existing protected building including walls, roof and windows, and well as providing a thermal upgrade of the building envelope.

Other works include fire prevention, as well as an upgrade of mechanical and electrical installations, together with elevational alterations and internal alterations to accommodate accessibility requirements.

The committee intends to demolish a non-original extension to the side and rear of the existing building and, in its place, construct a new extension to provide a sports hall to the rear (North East) together with ancillary accommodation over two storeys.

All associated site and landscaping works are included in the permission for the Chapel Lane site.

An architectural submission by Cavan-based Craftstudio Architecture set out how the committee driving the redevelopment plan had conducted “significant engagement” with the local community to establish their objectives for St Michael’s Hall and to determine the “scope of works” required to meet the current and future needs “for the next 100 years”.

The existing hall is an iconic structure in Cootehill that has served the local community since 1905, and a comprehensive Architectural Impact Assessment was completed by Ronan Fitzpatrick of Craftstudio Architecture.

Going forward it is proposed that the existing building will provide theatre and auditorium space for the arts, thus “renewing a long tradition of performance” at St Michael’s Hall.

The extension to the rear meanwhile also includes the addition of a Sports Hall (29 x 16.5metres) to accommodate a variety of sports including basketball, volleyball, football, badminton, and tennis.

Further ancillary spaces will provide meeting and community spaces over two levels. The mix of accommodation will “ensure the building remains at the heart of the well-being, social and civic activity of the local community”.

Permission was granted with a total of 10 conditions attached.