Prominent Tipperary building to be transformed into two homes
A building in the centre of a busy Tipperary tourist town is set to become a home under plans granted by the local authority.
Will Fleury applied to Tipperary County Council for planning permission to change the use of part of a former stable building at the rear of the old Bank of Ireland building on the Square in Cahir into residential use, as well as retention permission to keep part of the building that has already been converted into residential use.
Retention planning permission is sought when a person carries out works without getting planning permission, but applies to the local authority to be allowed to retain the works that have been carried out.
The building has been vacant for several years, with the plans before the local authority seeking to provide one one-bedroom and one two-bedroom homes on the site.
This planning application is the second to be lodged on the site, with the council refusing permission for the development in July on the grounds that a “lack of consideration” had been paid to the protected former bank building at the front of the site.
According to an agent acting on behalf of Mr Fleury, the revised plans would aim to bring an out-of-use building back into use.
"A do-nothing approach in relation to this site is not acceptable and all efforts should be undertaken to carry out the proposed restoration works,” the agent said.
"The northern portion of the building requires a full suite of repairs to be carried out, using conservation best practice, to bring the former stable building back into use in its entirety,” they added.
Works are also proposed to reverse some of the works done in 2023 when the stable building was partially converted into residential accommodation.
“Overall, it is predicted that the proposed works will have a positive impact on the former stable building by rectifying a number of the works that were carried out in 2023, and restoring the remainder of the historic fabric,” the agent said.
Tipperary County Council granted planning permission for the development, subject to seven conditions.
Among the conditions are that works on the site be overseen by a conservation professional, and that Mr Fleury pay the council a financial contribution of €2,887 for the connection to public services.