Old Nenagh pub for demolition

Tipperary Co Council has granted conditional planning permission for a new plan that will involve demolition of Nenagh’s old Malt House pub.

Margaret Fogarty has been given the go-ahead by the council to demolish existing derelict buildings at 7 and 8 MacDonagh St and construct three new town houses. The plan represents a revised proposal of one that was turned down by the then An Bord Pleanála last year following an appeal by the owner of an adjoining property.

The site previously consisted of three terraced houses prior to being developed into a large public house. The pub was run over recent decades as Peig’s, The Malt House and Eamonn Ryan’s; there was a pub on the corner with Rossa Place (formerly Brewery Lane) as far back as the 1840s.

The planning applicant’s cover letter to the council stated that the new proposal would involve no further shadowing of neighbouring properties, or overlooking windows. The buildings along Rossa Place were reduced in height and the roof design was changed to match existing buildings along the street.

The new plan envisaged signage to the front of the building along MacDonagh Street, with which the applicant sought to address An Bord Pleanála’s concern over “loss of traditional shopfronts”.

“This will keep the existing shop front appearance along the street,” the council was informed. “The proposed building will fit in with neighbouring dwellings along the street.”

‘SIGNIFICANTLY ALTERED OVER TIME’

A conservation report included with the application stated that the building is not a Protected Structure. “The existing building onto MacDonagh Street is historic, with portions of it perhaps dating to the mid-late 19th century; however, it has been significantly altered over time, and amalgamated with other buildings of different time periods.

“The building, in its current form, does not have any architectural design or good quality craftmanship and materials of note.”

The report considered that the proposal to demolish the buildings on the site and construct three townhouses “is appropriate, as this reflects that the configuration and scale of the historic building plots. The scale and height of the facades and roof of the proposed building match those of the original, and as such will not impact on the streetscape or views of the urban core.”

The council received a submission from the owner of the adjoining property, Anna Brislane, who stated that she had no objection in principle to the plan, provided that agreement was reached with adjoining neighbours over proposed works to the east elevation.

The council granted permission subject to a number of conditions, including a requirement for details of materials, colours and textures of all external finishes to be agreed with the planning authority prior to commencement of development.

The applicant was also required to enter into an agreement with the council that all units would be restricted to “first occupation by individual purchasers, ie, those not being a corporate entity, and/or by those eligible for the occupation of social and/or affordable housing, including cost rental housing.”