Planning permission granted for 11 new apartments in Longford Town despite council refusal

An Comisiún Pleanála has overturned the decision of Longford County Council to refuse planning permission for the development of eleven new apartments in the centre of Longford Town.

The proposed development, at Market Square in the town, has now been granted conditional planning permission following the appeal which was lodged by Mynah Unlimited Company. 

Planning permission was previously refused by the local authority, as planners wanted the building to be used as a tourist accommodation facility. 

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Mynah has sought permission for a change of use and building works to alter the property "to create 11 apartments with all associated site development works".

In its decision, which was handed down in May 2024, the council claimed there is a shortage of tourist accommodation in Longford Town. Initially, the building had been earmarked for a hotel development.

The council’s decision to refuse permission stated it was "not in a position to grant a change of use to residential accommodation at the expense of potential tourism facilities.”

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Longford County Council also noted that the building plans featured “very small and cramped” bathrooms and that the application did not account for car parking. 

Planners also noted a reference by the applicant to a "communal gym area" adding: "The proposed facility is not identified and presented within the submitted floor plans.”

The council suggested the proposed change in use of the building from a hotel to an apartment was not consistent with the Longford County Development Plan. 

However, in its decision, An Comisiún Pleanála disagreed with planning inspector Kenneth Moloney stating: "The proposed development would be acceptable in terms of standard of residential amenity, and achieving town centre regeneration and vitality, would not seriously injure the amenities of the area, and would otherwise be in accordance with the provisions of the Longford County Development Plan."

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According to planning documents, Mr Moloney's recommendation that planning be granted was accepted by members of the Board at a meeting on September 17.

Once completed, the 11 apartments will comprise ten two-bed apartments, along with a single one-bed apartment.