~22 dwellings, The Old House Ballymahon Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath - Planning Application 2560565

Status / decision

Further Information / 8 Aug 2025

Authority / ref

Westmeath County Council / 2560402

Development facts

Protected structure / units unknown / 165 m² (floor estimated)

Estimated lead value

€<250k / indicative estimate

Likely packages

Compliance, Conservation specialist, Fire Safety, Health & Safety, Planner/Consultant

Activity window

Active file: design clarifications may still change scope before decision.

Evidence / confidenceOfficial file: linked; card date 8 Aug 2025. Value confidence: Medium: value band is present and size evidence is available; verify against source documents.

Source descriptionfor retained development, and for proposed development and change of use, all at Knockdrin Castle and within its curtilage (a Protected Structure – RPS Ref: 012-022), a site of circa. 10.48 hectares. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) accompanies this application. The development for which retention is sought comprises: 1. The restoration and refurbishment of Knockdrin Castle (a Protected Structure – RPS Ref: 012-022), including 12 no. guest bedrooms, ground floor dining area, bar, ballroom and kitchen. 2. The retention of replacement kitchen windows to the rear of the building and replacement of modern conservatory extension to the east side of the building. 3. Retention of drainage services, water supply services, wastewater services (100PE concrete sewage treatment system discharging to 165 m² percolation area), utilities, and fire safety services associated with the above restoration and refurbishment works. 4. Works to the Knockdrin Castle entrance gates & lodges (North & South – Protected Structures – RPS Ref: 012-020 & 012-021 respectively), as include the provision of new entrance gates. The proposed development for which permission is sought comprises: 1. Proposed change of use of Knockdrin Castle from residential to an events and hospitality venue as incorporates dining and overnight accommodation. 2. Proposed use of existing vehicular access points to the R394 as comprise the Knockdrin Castle gate lodge, south (a Protected Structure – RPS Ref: 012-021) and secondary, north entrance gateway (a Protected Structure – RPS Ref: 012-020) to serve the development. 3. Proposed partial realignment of existing wall adjacent to the secondary, north entrance gateway (a Protected Structure – RPS Ref: 012-020) for the provision of improved sightlines. 4. Proposed enhancements to internal access roads, as includes continuation of existing access route to front curtilage of Knockdrin Castle, and all associated vehicular and pedestrian wayfinding signage. 5. Proposed provision of 74 no. car parking spaces (including 4 no. accessible parking spaces) and 2 no. coach parking spaces to serve the operational and customer needs of the development. 6. Proposed enclosed waste storage area in the internal courtyard of Knockdrin Castle. 7. Proposed hard and soft landscaping works, as include the restoration and enhancement of formal gardens, pedestrian footpaths, enhanced reception area to front curtilages of Knockdrin Castle, and proposed external lighting.

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Status / decision

New Application / 29 Apr 2026

Authority / ref

Westmeath County Council / 2660218

Development facts

Protected structure / units unknown / floor unknown

Estimated lead value

No value basis indexed

Likely packages

Compliance, Conservation specialist, Fire Safety, Health & Safety, Planner/Consultant

Activity window

Early planning cue: qualify promoter, scale and likely future package needs.

Evidence / confidenceOfficial file: linked; card date 29 Apr 2026. Value confidence: Not enough public evidence for a value band on this card.

Source descriptiondevelopment which will consist of the following: Retention of 3No. existing first floor short term bedrooms and change of use from 3No. private residential bedrooms to commercial short term accommodation. Permission for the partial demolition, refurbishment and proposed extension to the existing ground floor of The Crossed Keys Bar area consisting of new toilet layouts, cold room store, 2no. seated snug areas, function room, 2No. Internal stairs, access corridors and ancillary storage areas. New internal gated pedestrian access lane off Austin Friars Street to new first floor short term Accommodation and ground floor function room with new fire exit door on rear elevation to existing rear access lane and including the removal of existing temporary roofs over the existing covered outdoor areas, change of use of existing store to function room bar and store and covered parking area, remedial works to an existing boundary wall within the curtilage of a protected structure (19-23 Austin Friars Street, Mullingar, Westmeath NIAH Reg. No. 15310120). Permission for the partial demolition, refurbishment and proposed extension of existing first floor with additional floor space to existing short term accommodation consisting of 6No. new guest rooms with ensuites, ancillary storerooms, 1No. new one bed studio and change of use of existing office/accounts room to a new managers bedroom, access corridors, guest outdoor area. Permission for the removal of the existing painted shopfront and its replacement with a new traditional-style timber shopfront with revised window and door openings, traditional timber pilasters, fascia and stall risers, together with new signage, external lighting, finishes and associated works. Permission for proposed connections to existing on-site services together with all ancillary and associated site works. This application relates to proposed works to the Crossed Keys Bar which is in the proximity of neighbouring protected structures (19-23 Austin Friars Street, Mullingar, Westmeath NIAH Reg. No. 15310120). The proposed works are located within an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA) and a within a zone of Archaeological potential.

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Status / decision

Further Information / 29 May 2025

Authority / ref

Westmeath County Council / 2560266

Development facts

Protected structure / units unknown / floor unknown

Estimated lead value

No value basis indexed

Likely packages

Compliance, Conservation specialist, Health & Safety, Planner/Consultant

Activity window

Active file: design clarifications may still change scope before decision.

Evidence / confidenceOfficial file: linked; card date 29 May 2025. Value confidence: Not enough public evidence for a value band on this card.

Source descriptionPortlick Castle is a protected structure listed under Westmeath County Council RPS 022-026 (Tower House and Castle) and 022-027 (outbuildings and coach house) and recorded under NIAH Reg No. 15402212 (Castle). Portlick Castle is also a Recorder Monument with SMR No. WM022-045. Permission is sought for a formal change of use of the previously converted private residence into a Guest House/Function Venue, with 12 number existing bedrooms with en-suites within the castle and coach house, commercial kitchen, dining room, breakfast room, bar and lounge, toilets, stores and associated site works. Retention Permission is sought for the following works undertaken since 2020: (i) completed replacement to the Tower Roof at increased roof pitch with Blue Bangor slate covering and new dormer to back elevation as access to viewing balcony behind parapet and roof lights to front elevation replicating positions on removed roof (ii) repair of existing timber windows, replacement of decayed timber window and door heads with concrete lintels (iii) removal of existing rotten and damaged timber windows with timber framed replacements (iv) removal of cement based render to middle section of front elevation and reinstatement of hood mouldings based on historic photos to same, removal of cement based pointing to external stone elevations and replacement with lime based mortar, repairs to various damaged stone window cills, heads and reveals, stone waterspouts and other associated damaged stone wall elements, (v) removal of internal wall dry lining systems exposing original stone masonry and replacement of lime plaster in some areas, (vi) part sub division of upper levels (with en-suites) (vii) exposure and re-pointing of bare rubble walls, partial completion of new internal stud walls, and floors to upper levels(viii) replacement of concrete floors at ground level and in the ‘Great Hall’ at first floor with limecrete floors and underfloor heating, (ix) opening up works throughout the structure and removal of damaged and decayed internal drylining, joinery including skirting boards, door frames and doors, architraves, dado rails and picture rails, repairs to all internal timber floors, walls and ceilings, (x) alterations to the non-historic rear and side extensions including removal of blockwork castellations, fitting of new windows in existing openings, and creation of new window openings (xi) alterations to the coach house involving removal of sand cement render, window and do

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