New plans lodged to demolish former Longford creamery for 54 new houses

AMC Developments Ltd have lodged a planning application with Longford County Council this week in relation to the former creamery and adjoining residential site located on Richmond Street on the Connaught Road, just yards from the town’s Main Street. 

The application requests permission to demolish “on-site derelict structures” followed by the construction of a residential development of 54 houses. 

According to the planning application, the current owner of the site is Eoin Conway of Ruby Way Ltd c/o Beauchamp House, Old Bray Road, Shankhill, Dublin however it is in the process of being sold to the planning applicant, AMC Developments, the director of which is Damien McCauley with a registered address of Vicarsfield in Ballinalee. 

Longford County Council is expected to return a decision on the application by March 22. 

This is not the first time ambitious plans have been proposed for the site of the former creamery but so far none have come to fruition and instead the site has fallen further into disrepair. 

Just last summer, Limerick-based company, Kendrick Properties, lodged a planning application with Longford County Council for a three storey community health facility on the site. 

The news was greatly welcomed at the time as a boost of confidence for the town centre, however the planning application has since stalled. 

The council informed the applicant on September 29 last year that the information submitted was “not adequate to enable a decision to be made,” and outlined the details required in order.

Kendrick Properties were notified that consideration of their application would be deferred pending compliance with the letter. If they fail to produce the requested information within 6 months of the letter, which will be March 29 this year, then the planning application will be declared withdrawn.   

In 2016, the current owners of the former creamery, Ruby Way Ltd, received planning permission on four applications for a number of developments on the site including, a two storey café/coffee shop unit, a two storey restaurant including a drive through take-away, and a single storey convenience discount retail unit with off-licence.

Ruby Way Limited was also granted planning permission for a licensed petrol filling station development with a commercial unit, comprising of a retail area, an off-licence, a coffee shop, and deli area in addition to a forecourt and canopy with fuel dispensing pumps, a car wash area and  underground fuel storage. 

Planning was also granted at the time for a single storey car sales showroom however the plans did not progress past these initial stages. 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

Additional Reading: ‘Clear plan’ needed to ensure Longford St Patrick’s Day parade proceeds