Planning approval paves the way for two new town centre apartments in Tipperary
Plans to provide two apartments above a shop on Tipperary town’s Main Street has been given the go-ahead by the local authority.
Rana Zahid Habib applied to Tipperary County Council for permission to extend the retail premises and create two apartments on the upper floors of number 27 Main Street.
The applicant originally sought permission for a separate front door to provide independent access to the apartments, but withdrew that element after planners raised “serious” concerns.
The council said that the addition of a second door would have a “negative impact” on the area, and requested that this was revised.
The new proposal includes an extension to the rear of number 27, sanitary facilities for staff on the ground floor, a studio apartment at first-floor level and a two-bedroom duplex apartment across the second and third floors.
Currently, there is living accommodation above the shop, planning files show, but these are “informal”, according to an agent working on behalf of Mr Habib.
“The applicant wishes to provide sanitary facilities for his staff on the ground floor to end the current practice of relying on the private facilities on the upper floors,” the agent said in a letter.
“The present living space is quite informal therefore the applicant seeks to regularise this and also maximise the use of the upper floors.”
The layout and space provided in the new apartments will be a “vast improvement on current conditions,” the agent added, and aim to continue the use of over the shop living.
The local authority granted planning permission subject to seven conditions.
However, planners rejected the proposed waste management system, saying an alternative solution for bin storage must be provided.
Under the original plans, Mr Habib proposed that bins be stored at the rear of the existing phone shop, and that residents of the apartments would have access to a stainless steel rubbish chute.
Building management would then place bags from the apartments into the bins provided, and move them to the street for collection on designated days.
However, council planners deemed this to be unacceptable and stated in the conditions that a different solution should be used.
The permission also requires the payment of a €1,367 development contribution towards public infrastructure and limits the hours during which construction work may take place.