County Council refuses planning permission for nine Sligo town apartments

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Sligo County has refused planning permission for the development of four one bedroom and five two bedroom residential apartment units at 13-14 Chapel Street, Sligo.

Permission was sought by North West Investments Ltd for the demolition of the existing two storey buildings and the construction of nine apartments along with all associated works.

The development was refused on three grounds, with the local authority deeming it contrary to the proper planning and sustainability of the area.

In the notification of decision to refuse planning permission it was stated, “The proposed development is deemed contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. The planning authority is not satisfied that the proposed development would not result in the proposal detrimentally impacting on nearby dwellings.”

The scale of the development was also highlighted by the planning authority. The notification noted, “The proposed development to the scale, height and density of the four storey building proposed immediately adjacent to an architectural conservation area without sufficient and robust justification of its impact on the surrounding protected structures and architectural conservation area and on the townscape at this location would contravene the policies as set out in the county development plan and thus would fail to preserve, protect and enhance Sligo’s architectural heritage and be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

The final reason given for refusing the application was that it was contrary to the county development plan. “It is considered that the development as proposed results in over development on site with a density range in excess of the recommendations. The proposed development would be contrary to the current county development plan in relation to residential development in an urban area.”