Retain and refurbish cottage; add 325 sq.m extension with four bedrooms

Denise Drennan has applied to Meath County Council for permission to retain and refurbish a single‑storey stone cottage situated in Rathregan, Batterstown, in County Meath. The proposal also calls for the removal of a 14‑square‑metre boot‑room extension that is not part of the original structure and the addition of a new 325‑square‑metre extension that will be partly two‑storey and partly single‑storey. The new building would contain four bedrooms, living areas, a kitchen, a utility room and ancillary spaces, all finished in random coursed stone blockwork with a metal roof.

The application, which was declared invalid on 18 May 2026, requires resubmission. The council’s decision was based on the public notices that were issued, which did not clearly describe what was being retained. The council therefore needs a revised notice that accurately reflects the retention of the existing cottage and the removal of the boot‑room extension.

The site covers 0.180 hectares and the plan includes provision for four car parking spaces. The developer has also proposed native hedging around the perimeter of the site and tree planting throughout the garden, which would help to maintain the rural character of the area.

The proposed works are summarised as follows:

* Retention and refurbishment of the existing single‑storey pitched‑roof cottage. * Removal of a 14‑square‑metre non‑original boot‑room extension. * Construction of a 325‑square‑metre extension that will be partly two‑storey and partly single‑storey, containing four bedrooms, living areas, a kitchen, a utility room and ancillary spaces. * External finishes in random coursed stone blockwork with a metal roof. * Native hedging and tree planting around the perimeter of the site.

The application is part of a series of planning proposals that have been submitted in the area over the past few weeks. Earlier this month, a shed removal, rear kitchen extension and new attached single‑storey family flat were approved in a neighbouring parish. A single‑storey extension with a porch and new wastewater system was also granted for a dwelling in Newcastle, Oldcastle. In Navan, a retention permission was granted for an existing rear extension and a revised roof on an existing dwelling. In Kells, a retention permission was sought for a rear extension and the conversion of a garage into a bedroom. A cottage in the same county also had a retention permission sought for an extension that involved altered materials and window/door configurations. Finally, a first‑floor extension above an existing side and rear ground‑floor structure with a new stairwell window was approved in April.

These developments illustrate the council’s willingness to consider a range of proposals that balance the preservation of historic or traditional structures with the need for modern accommodation. The Rathregan application, however, has highlighted the importance of clear communication in the public notice stage. The council’s decision to declare the application invalid underscores the need for developers to provide precise descriptions of what is being retained, removed and added.

The proposed extension at Rathregan would significantly increase the size of the dwelling, providing additional bedrooms and living space that could accommodate a larger family or offer the potential for rental income. The use of random coursed stone blockwork for the new construction is intended to blend the new work with the existing cottage, maintaining the visual harmony of the site. The metal roof, while modern, is chosen to complement the stone finish and to provide durability.

The inclusion of native hedging and tree planting is a positive environmental measure that will enhance the biodiversity of the site and provide a buffer against visual intrusion from surrounding developments. The provision of four car parking spaces is in line with local planning guidelines for rural sites of this size.

The council will now require a revised application that addresses the concerns raised in the public notice. Once resubmitted, the application will be subject to the usual planning scrutiny, including consideration of its impact on the surrounding area, compliance with the local development plan and any relevant national policies.

For more details, see the original Meath County Council planning file and the localnews.ie coverage.

Summary written by localnews.ie from the original source coverage. Click through for the full report.