18th-centuary protected structure in heart of Westport to be refurbished for residential and commercial use
Planning permission has been granted for the refurbishment and conservation of a late-18th-century protected structure in the heart of Westport.
The development will see Moran’s Shoe Shop on Bridge Street brought back into use for residential and commercial purposes.
The shop ceased trading in 2017 and the building has since fallen into disrepair. By 2024, the shopfront had no signage after it was taken down by unknown parties, further contributing to its run-down appearance.
Under the approved plans, conservation works will be carried out to the historic ground-floor shopfront, which will be retained for commercial use.
A family home will be developed over the ground floor of the main building, and within the rear annexe.
The planning application was submitted by Boss Murphy Holdings Ireland Ltd and was granted subject to six conditions.
One submission was made in relation to the application that raised concerns over the applicant's initial plans to use the residential space as a holiday home.
Kieran Ryan welcomed the refurbishment of the building and wished the applicant the best of luck with the development, and with the creation of a new family unit in Westport town.
However, he raised concerns about references to the residential space initially being used as a holiday home.
He noted the “proliferation of unregulated short-term lets in Westport” and pointed to the town’s rent pressure zone status, which requires planning permission for short-term letting.
Mr Ryan requested that a condition be attached preventing the property from being used as a short-term let or hospitality business.
While planning permission was granted subject to six conditions, none related specifically to Mr Ryan’s submission.
The planner’s report did note, however, that the issue is addressed under Department of Housing circular SPI 01/2026, which sets out regulations governing short-term lettings.
The building itself is a terraced, single-bay, three-storey structure with a ground-floor retail unit, originally constructed in 1780.
A two-storey annexe was added to the rear in 1850 and is connected to the main building by a covered single-storey yard.
A single-storey extension was also constructed to the rear of the annexe in the late 20th century.
The approved works will focus on repairing and upgrading the existing building while protecting its historic character.
Windows and doors will be repaired, with modern window fittings replaced by traditional sash-style windows that match the original features. Roof repairs will be carried out, including works to gutters, downpipes and to the chimney.
Inside the building, new bathrooms and new building services will be installed, and the original floorboards will be refurbished while repairs and replastering will be carried out on damaged walls and ceilings.
The shop will be separated from the residential unit through having a fire rated ceiling built below the existing bordered ceiling, a staff toilet will be provided, and the historic shopfront will be conserved by a specialist craftsperson.
The planner’s report states that the proposed development adopts a low-impact approach, with minimum intervention and an emphasis on repair rather than replacement of original features.
The architect’s report submitted with the application noted that the development “will bring family life back to a house situated in a prominent section of streetscape in the town centre”.
It also stated that the applicant intends to make a “very substantial investment” in the conservation and repair of the long-neglected building.
Any appeals regarding the planning application must be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanala within four weeks of permission being granted, which was on February 16, 2026.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.