New Durrow community centre gets planning permission

The council has approved plans for a new two-storey community centre to be built on the site of the former Civil Defence building in Durrow, despite concerns being raised by a number of local residents over such issues as car parking.

The Durrow Development Forum has been given the go ahead to demolish the former Civil Defence building on Patrick Street, two associated storage buildings to its side and rear, and a single storey toilet extension to the side of the former Methodist Chapel/ICA Hall, and construct a part single storey/part two storey community use facility comprising of meeting rooms and related back up spaces.

The council has ruled that the development with be compliant with the Laois County Development Plan 2017-2023 and with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Among 13 planning conditions, the council has stipulated that adequate parking facilities be provided within the site curtilage, in accordance with Development Plan standards and National Cycle Manual, to accommodate all motor and bicycle traffic generated by the proposed development.

During the planning stage, a submission against the plan was made on behalf of four residents by Liam Ryan Architectural Services. They were all residents of Patrick Street.

They raised concerns over car parking, as the existing car park in this property has been a car park for residents for over 50 years.

There have already been a number of accidents on the street, especially with traffic approaching at speed from the Cork Road, and the residents required a guarantee that they can continue to use the car park.

“We the residents cannot tolerate the prospect of lugging shopping and small kids in the dark on a very busy road,” said the four people named on the submission.

A further submission was made to the council by the residents of Patrick Street, c/o Margaret Alward and Pat Dunphy. In this submission, which was signed by 21 residents, it was said that:

“If this facility cannot address traffic calming, care of residents, liveability issues, geometric issues on this residential street, it should be denied on safety, aesthetic and amenity grounds. An improved design and a reorientation of this building together with traffic calming needs to be undertaken.”

“The residents of Patrick Street do not have a problem with the hall being developed, providing it is in keeping with the streetscape, orientated better and is confined to its existing site.

“An improved parking arrangement and increased number of parking spaces is required. The residents feel that implementation of traffic calming using designated, protected parking bays is possible and necessary to address safety concerns.”

A separate submission was also made in support of the new community centre by Seamus Clancy, Patrick Street, signed by 18 people.

They said they had no objection to the proposed development and were delighted with the plans and the extra car park spaces.

Also in support were Fergal and Deirdre Hassett, Patrick Street, who have had “a direct personal relationship with the area for over 60 years” and whose property directly adjoins the lands to which the planning application relates.

“So if anybody were to feel entitled to air a negative view on the development, it should be us. Yet the converse is in fact the case, we are very much for and not against this project,” they said.

“Moreover, in an era when e-shopping and the internet are eroding the commercial centres of our towns, we see this as a real plus that will help to reinvigorate not just the main street but also the town.”