Retention & Permission, Co. Louth

Retention & Permission: Permission for general change of use of site and buildings to use for 63 no. bed hostel and/or sheltered accommodation as follows: Existing 3 storey Bell’s Building – change from last known use from office / creche / Montessori to 14 no. bedrooms and 40 no. bedspaces with 14 ensuite bathrooms; Existing adjacent single storey retail unit, formerly ‘Rawfit’ with frontage onto Scholes Lane; change of use to 3 no. bedrooms and 17 no. bedspaces with 3 ensuite bathrooms; Provision of new windows / doors on north and east elevations with courtyard access to proposed bedrooms (off north elevation); Current shopfront / access from Scholes Lane to be closed up from within with shopfront left in-situ; Existing part single part two storey restaurant building - change from last known permitted use from restaurant to ancillary hostel kitchen, dining facilities, staff office, common room and toilet facilities at ground floor and 1no. Bedroom with 6no. bedspaces and ensuite at first floor; Existing single storey former public toilets (last known permitted use) - change of use to ancillary hostel laundry facilities; Demolition of the external three storey fire escape stairs on the west elevation of Bell’s Building; All associated site works, drainage and refuse storage to serve the new use. The development for the retention permission consists of: Alterations the restaurant building (approved under Reg. Ref. 82510154), consisting of an internal mezzanine floor, window / door openings at ground / first floor and external staircase accessing same (all on the south elevation); Single storey timber storage shed to rear of Bell’s Building; Timber fencing to the rear of Bell’s Building; Addition of timber cladding to the existing main entrance gates onto Scholes Lane *Significant Further Information Received 23/06/2026 and Revised Notices received 25/06/2026 - Proposal clarified and will now provide sheltered accommodation. 50 beds now proposed.*

Location

Co. Louth Map

Council

Louth County Council

Planning reference

2560723

Applicant

Darren Quinn

Agent

Bright Design Architects