Plans for vacant garda station in Wicklow ‘more ambitious than first thought’

By Hugh O'Farrell Walsh, The Wicklow People

Wicklow County Council has conceded plans to turn the former garda station in Ashford into a community centre are more ambitious than first thought.

The Ashford Development Association submitted plans in April seeking a change of use and alterations and an extension to the former facility, which is a protected structure, to accommodate a recreation hall and multi sports indoor complex with a reception, activity rooms, kitchen, toilets and storerooms.

The development also provides for a disabled carpark space and set down area, bicycle parking and site development works, with connection to existing local public mains services and all associated site works.

The main part of the project will see the construction of a basketball court at the back of the building, which may be used for other indoor sports such as badminton.

The estimated cost of the renovation is €3 million.

The main body of the station dates to 1840 and has been derelict since 2003 when attempts were made to set it on fire.

Council officials purchased the building in 2022 from the Office of Public Works with the intention that it would be restored and expanded for use by the local community.

During the council’s September monthly meeting, director of services Michael Nicholson informed the elected members that efforts are ongoing to move the project forward.

“We were looking at maybe a community centre, but the architect said there's more potential here to do something bigger, and the plans submitted for planning were slightly more ambitious but in fairness nobody is going to criticise someone for too much ambition.

“A planning application was lodged. It has come back now for further information. As you know, it wasn't refused, so there's hopefully an intent to grant.”

Mr Nicholson said the working group tasked with managing the project is working well together.

“As promised at a recent meeting we set up a committee. There are two councillors on it, two local reps, two members of the CLG and two officials, myself and Moira Halvey. So, Wicklow County Council is well represented having four of the eight reps on it. And I can assure you from our first meeting you're well served by councillor Shane Langrell and councillor John Snell, who were very productive and vocal at the meeting.”

Following their first meeting, Mr Nicholson said the taskforce agreed to seek public feedback on the plans.

“We did a severe amount of public consultations and we received no submissions. So, I find it strange that people are being inundated from residents and nobody is submitting any submissions on the application.

“What we are now going to do is focus on getting the planning permission and then seek funding from whatever available source we can to fund the project.” he added.

Echoing comments made during the July meeting of Wicklow Muncipal District, Cllr Paul O’Brien expressed his dissatisfaction at how the project is being managed.

“I have been inundated with people from Ashford wondering why there wasn't a public consultation. I believe there was one after the planning permission came in and no submissions were made, but the general feeling in Ashford is there should have been a public consultation before any planning permission came in.

“I have also learned off my colleagues that they weren't even consulted; that the planning permission came in before they even sat down with my two colleagues.

“The only thing that's given me confidence at the moment is that my colleagues, councillor Snell and councillor Langrell, are men of integrity; they have nothing but the best interests of Ashford and Rathnew and the surrounding areas at heart.” he added.