PART 8 PLANNING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF MULLINGAR REGIONAL SPORTS COMPLEX AT BLACKHALL PLACE, MULLINGAR, CO. WESTMEATH.

PART XI OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 (AS AMENDED) PART 8 OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, 2001 (AS AMENDED)

PART 8 PUBLIC NOTICE

Pursuant to the requirement of the above, notice is hereby given that Westmeath County Council propose to undertake the following works:

CONSTRUCTION OF MULLINGAR REGIONAL SPORTS COMPLEX AT BLACKHALL PLACE, MULLINGAR, CO. WESTMEATH.

The 1.80 hectare site is bound by Dominic Place, Blackhall Place and Joe Dolan Road.

The proposed development consists of 9246 sqm, 2-3 storey community-based, multi-sport facility, including:

• 8 lane 25m swimming pool
• 20x8m teaching pool & splash pad
• Multi-use sports hall (12 court)
• Gym & studios
• Reception and ancillary spaces including meeting rooms, viewing area, sensory room, staff room, WCs, wet/dry changing rooms, stores, plant rooms, ESB Substation
• External works including landscaped public plaza, pedestrian/cycle/vehicle routes, and car/bike parking facilities
• Upgrade works to public road at Blackhall Place and Joe Dolan Road include new footpaths, New 3m wide shared pedestrian/ cycleway, Raised tables at all junctions, 3 new zebra crossings
• Installation of all associated services above and below ground
• Provision of signage and lighting
• Ancillary works as required

Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) and/or Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) show the site lies within the Zone of Notification (ZON) for the Historic Town (WM019-089-) of Mullingar as well as being located within the immediate vicinity of a religious house of Dominican Friars (WM019-089004-) and an unclassified castle (WM019-089008-). The proposed works are adjacent to Protected Structures including:

• RPS 019-062 NIAH 15310051: Railway Bridge
• RPS 019-063 NIAH 15310152: Signal Box
• RPS 019-061 NIAH 15310149: Railway Station building
• RPS 019-080 NIAH 15310069: Outbuilding, gates/railings/walls
• RPS 019-089 NIAH 15310078: Prison governor’s house
• RPS 019-081 NIAH 15310070: End-of terrace two storey house c. 1890

An Archaeological Impact Assessment Report has been prepared as part of this application.

The proposed Part 8 development has undergone Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening under Directive 2014/52/EU (as amended). No likely significant effects were identified during the AA and EIA Screening processes. Therefore, there is no requirement to proceed to the next stage of AA or for a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) to be produced. In addition, the proposed development is not a type of development that triggers the requirement for an EIA and subsequent preparation of an EIA Report as per the prescribed classes of development and thresholds set out in Schedule 5 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended). Any person may, within 4 weeks from the date of this notice, apply to An Coimisiún Pleanála for a screening determination as to whether the proposed development would be likely to have significant effect on the environment.

Persons wishing to inspect drawings and particulars of the proposed development in person can do so as follows:

Plans and Particulars of the proposed development are available for inspection at https://consult.westmeathcoco.ie/en and can be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at Westmeath County Council Offices, Áras An Chontae, Mount St, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath from 9.30am to 4.00pm each day, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays, from 28th July 2025 up to and including 26th August 2025.

Submissions:

Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed development, dealing with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area in which the proposed development would be situated, may be made via the Council’s Consultation Portal at https://consult.westmeathcoco.ie/en or a written submissions or observations, may also be submitted to the Administrative Officer, Planning Department, Aras an Chontae, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, N91 FH4N, to arrive not later 4.00pm on 9th September 2025.

Submissions should be labelled ‘LAM 144 Mullingar Regional Sports Complex, Blackhall’.

Written submissions or observations received, will form part of a statutory report to be presented to a meeting of Westmeath County Council and will form part of a public document. The information contained in submissions may be available for public inspection, to be published on the Council’s website and available at the Council’s public counter. Details, including the names of those making submissions may be shared with relevant Council Departments or their agents involved in this Part 8 process.