Part 8 Planning for the proposed development at Athlone Castle, Co. Westmeath comprising enhancement works aimed at improving interpretation, visitor facilities, and the overall visitor journey, to enhance public engagement with the historic site.
Part 8 Planning for the proposed development at Athlone Castle, Co. Westmeath comprising enhancement works aimed at improving interpretation, visitor facilities, and the overall visitor journey, to enhance public engagement with the historic site.
Part XI OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 (as amended)
PART 8 OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, 2001 (as amended)
Pursuant to the requirements of the above, notice is hereby given that Westmeath County Council proposes to undertake the following works:
Proposed development at Athlone Castle, Saint Peter’s Terrace and Bigmeadow, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 A6D7 (a Protected Structure, RPS No. 70, and a National Monument Heritage Site Reg.No. 15000352), comprising enhancement works aimed at improving interpretation, visitor facilities, and the overall visitor journey, to enhance public engagement with the historic site.
The proposed development will include the following:
Localised external restoration and adaptation to existing fabric to facilitate ticketing, coffee kiosk new staircases and relocation of existing staircase
New flooring and joinery / painting works
Provision of new internal exhibition spaces
Installation of new entrance airlocks for environmental control of collection
Internal refurbishment works including upgrades to electrical and mechanical systems
New external interpretation, lighting, wayfinding and signage works
Small scale demolition works to widen openings, removal of non-original elements to reveal original features
Fabric conservation works where required
Ancillary Works
The proposed site includes the Athlone Castle external areas, historic buildings and modern additions which all are contained on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) (Ref.No. 70) under the Westmeath County Development Plan 2014-2020, and furthermore on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) (Reg.No. 15000352) with Archaeological, Architectural, and Historical categories of interest. The site is bounded by Athlone Town bridge, also known as Shannon Road Bridge (a regional Monument and protected structure - Reference Number RPS 004) to the North, The Shannon quays to the East and Market Place to the West. The site is also located within an Architectural Conservation Area (Athlone Town). An Archaeological Impact Assessment and Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment Report have been prepared having regard to the proposed development and is available for inspection with 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.
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 the following Offices:
Athlone Municipal District, Civic Centre, Church Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath N37 P2T.
Between the Hours of 9.30a.m. to 4.00p.m. each day, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays, from 28 July 2025 up to and including 26 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 in relation to the proposed development, may also be submitted to the Administrative Officer, Planning Department, Aras an Chontae, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath N91 FH4N to arrive not later than 4.00pm 9th September 2025.
Submissions should be labelled ‘LAA 9 Athlone Castle Enhancement ‘.
Written submissions or observations received will form part of a statutory report to be presented to a meeting of Westmeath County Council and also will form part of a public document. The information contained in submissions may be available for public inspection, to be published on the Councils 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.
Part 8 Planning for the proposed development at Athlone Castle, Co. Westmeath comprising enhancement works aimed at improving interpretation, visitor facilities, and the overall visitor journey, to enhance public engagement with the historic site.
Cluaisíní príomha
WESTMEATH COUNTY COUNCIL
COMHAIRLE CONTAE NA hÍARMHÍ
Part XI OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 (as amended)
PART 8 OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, 2001 (as amended)
Pursuant to the requirements of the above, notice is hereby given that Westmeath County Council proposes to undertake the following works:
Proposed development at Athlone Castle, Saint Peter’s Terrace and Bigmeadow, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 A6D7 (a Protected Structure, RPS No. 70, and a National Monument Heritage Site Reg.No. 15000352), comprising enhancement works aimed at improving interpretation, visitor facilities, and the overall visitor journey, to enhance public engagement with the historic site.
The proposed development will include the following:
The proposed site includes the Athlone Castle external areas, historic buildings and modern additions which all are contained on the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) (Ref.No. 70) under the Westmeath County Development Plan 2014-2020, and furthermore on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) (Reg.No. 15000352) with Archaeological, Architectural, and Historical categories of interest. The site is bounded by Athlone Town bridge, also known as Shannon Road Bridge (a regional Monument and protected structure - Reference Number RPS 004) to the North, The Shannon quays to the East and Market Place to the West. The site is also located within an Architectural Conservation Area (Athlone Town). An Archaeological Impact Assessment and Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment Report have been prepared having regard to the proposed development and is available for inspection with 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.
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 the following Offices:
Between the Hours of 9.30a.m. to 4.00p.m. each day, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays, from 28 July 2025 up to and including 26 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 in relation to the proposed development, may also be submitted to the Administrative Officer, Planning Department, Aras an Chontae, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath N91 FH4N to arrive not later than 4.00pm 9th September 2025.
Submissions should be labelled ‘LAA 9 Athlone Castle Enhancement ‘.
Written submissions or observations received will form part of a statutory report to be presented to a meeting of Westmeath County Council and also will form part of a public document. The information contained in submissions may be available for public inspection, to be published on the Councils 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.
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