An Bord Pleanála refuse Longford mans application to convert a pub into apartments

The An Bord Pleanála board has overturned a decision by local authority planners for a former pub to be converted into four apartments despite it having also received approval from an inspector.

Applicant Seamus Gallagher, the proprietor of Gallagher's public house from the early 90s up until March 2020, had sought permission to convert the vacant pub into four apartments at the premises.

Mr Gallagher applied to the local authority in December 2021 for the proposed change of use of existing public house and first floor level habitable accommodation into a mixed use building consisting of a remote working hub area and self catering apartments in a separate adjoining building to the pub and the disused pub.

The second application was approved by Longford County Council last November subject to conditions, however, that he decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála by appellants Brian McNamara and Owen Quinn.

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Concerns were raised that the windows would overlook private property and there was no rear access available to the site.

Other issues outlined related to about land title, car parking provision, private open space for apartments, levels of realistic tourism in Drumlish and boundary wall construction.

The board of An Bord Pleanála refused planning on April 28 last and stated they considered the Longford County Development Plan 2021-2027, the zoning objective for the site 'to provide for the development and enhancement of town core uses including retail, residential, commercial, civic and other uses'.

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"The board said they were not satisfied, based on the information on file and the description of the proposed development as a change of use that the overall structure to which the change of use is proposed is consistent with the notification of change of use exemption or would be in accordance with the minimum floor areas and minimum storage space requirements of the

Sustainable Urban Housing Design Standards for New Apartments -Guidelines for Planning Authorities'.

Mr Gallagher said he intends to spend over €125,000 on constructing the apartments and while the refusal is a setback he still intends to proceed with the construction to facilitate short term tourist accommodation.

"I am inundated with people from Manchester, London, Birmingham and even America who are coming home for funerals and what not and have nowhere to go," he added.

He said Arva and Ballinamuck are usually full up.

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In his assessment of the application An Bord Pleanála Inspector Darragh Ryan recommended that the proposed development be granted, however, the Board refused the permission.

Mr Gallagher said he is exempt from planning for apartments as his former pub has been closed for more than two years.

"We won't be getting any grants but we are still going ahead with the apartments anyway.

"Once they are the size that Longford County Council say and they are the right spec as an ex-public house I am entitled to put in apartments," he added.