Green light for Ballyjamesduff houses

The green light has been given for new houses in the Ballyjamesduff area to the rear of a former public house.

Cavan County Council has granted planning permission for the refurbishment and part reconstruction of a previous dwelling to the rear of the former Cheers Public House.

The application, submitted by Oldcastle-based Atlas Skip Hire Ltd, provides for a new two-storey, pitched roof, two-bedroom residential dwelling, to include all associated ancillary site works.

Retention, meanwhile, has been granted for works already carried out. These include the construction of a ground floor slab and the erection of external walls up to first floor level.

The structure will be completed as a storey-and-a-half, pitched roof three-bedroom dwelling, with a single-storey side extension and all necessary infrastructure.

Permission for retention and completion follows a previous refusal, in which the local planning authority raised concerns over residential amenity, primarily due to the omission of private open space, lack of communal open space, and insufficient parking.

These omissions were considered by planners to pose a risk of over-development and as having the potential to detract from the quality of life of future occupants.

However, the latest application was bolstered by significant further information, including revised plans seeking to address many of the initial concerns.

A planning report identified the site as a ‘backland’ and zoned as Town Core, where residential use is 'Permitted in Principle'.

Ancillary works already undertaken include site excavation near the southeast and southwest boundaries, intended to support the proposed extension and create usable curtilage. But it was noted that this has exposed adjoining site boundaries, and may require structural retention measures in future.

An inspector reviewing the site noted no architectural concerns, concluding that, subject to conditions, the development aligns with the zoning objective and principles of proper planning.

Among the conditions imposed are two financial contributions: €15,000 towards local public infrastructure and facilities, and €5,000 to offset the shortfall in car parking provision.

Additionally, prior to the commencement of further works, the developer must provide security in the form of a €4,000 deposit or bond (€2,000 per permitted residential unit) to ensure the satisfactory completion of services and infrastructure.