Neighbour warns of ‘tenement-type building’ in appeal over Tipperary plans
Plans to convert a single house in a Tipperary village into multiple apartments have been appealed by a neighbour, citing fears that the building would be like a “tenement”.
Grainne O'Higgins was granted planning permission by Tipperary County Council to turn a property on Church Street, Cloghjordan from one single home, to two residential homes on the upper floors and in a rear extension, as well as an art studio on the ground floor.
Neighbour Risteárd Mac Uilliam appealed Ms O’Higgins’ planning permission to An Coimisiún Pleanála, saying that the creation of multiple homes in the building would amount to “a tenement type building.”
"The proposed changes to the protected structure changes the character of the building from that of being a family home/small rural grocery shop into a tenement type building," he said.
Mr Mac Uilliam also said in this appeal that works had already taken place on the protected structure, for which no planning permission had been sought.
"No planning permission [was] sought for the tremendously substantial works already undertaken prior to this planning application. This contravenes the Planning and Development Act,” he said.
Mr Mac Uilliam also raised concerns about the sewage capacity of Cloughjordan, saying that there were already issues without adding more homes to the area.
"Sewage plant is at maximum capacity in the village, no new developments allowed at present. These proposed new multi-occupancy apartments are new developments, albeit in an old protected structure,” he said.
"Previously, when our two ex-neighbours lived there, the sewage system would get blocked up on a regular basis. The blockages became so bad at one stage Tipperary County Council were asked to intervene as we were not able to unblock the sewer pipe.
"The proposed new multi-occupancy developments would greatly increase the number of people at the property and as a consequence, the sewage system would not be able to cope,” Mr Mac Uilliam explained.
He also raised concerns about the planned art studio, noting that Ms O’Higgins is a ceramics artist, and said that he was worried she would add a kiln to the studio, leading to health and safety concerns.
"Undertaking ceramics art will need some kind of ventilation extractor type fans for the harmful fumes. The firing process of the ceramics pieces – this leads to increased health and safety issues, with regard to releasing fumes into the environment,” he said.
In their previous grant of planning permission, Tipperary County Council stipulated that no kilns were to be installed in the art studio under the grant of planning permission.
Issues over access for the existing resident of the building, a shared right of way and car parking were also raised by Mr Mac Uilliam.
An Coimisiún Pleanála are due to make a decision on the appeal by August 19.