Apartments found to be “substandard”

SLIGO County planners have described two apartments in a converted house at St Brigid’s Place as “substandard”.

They’ve told owner of No.10 St Brigid’s Place, Mr Noel Keegan, that both apartments were too small and an unauthorised driveway was “a traffic hazard” and “unacceptable.”

Mr Keegan was seeking permission to retain the two apartments, a two-storey extension and build a new balcony at No.10.

But planners pointed out that a condition of his 2009 planning permission for the extension stated that it shouldn’t be used as a separate independent residential unit.

Planners refused him permission for three reasons. They said the site was restricted, the internal layout of the apartments was “inappropriate” and because of their small size, would be “substandard.” None of the bedrooms meet the minimum areas for double bedrooms, 11.4m. There is no communal amenity space.

They added that the proposed new balcony would “directly overlook the neighbours which would seriously detract from the residential amenity next door, would be “obtrusive” and “out of character” with the existing terraced houses in the area.

They also said the “haphazard” arrangements for car parking close to a pedestrian crossing would endanger public safety.

The existing entrance and car parking was not authorised in 2009. Council engineers said they facilitate “dangerous turning movements” which could interfere with pedestrian safety.