Market House "Age-Friendly" Development Rejected Again: Council Highlights Privacy And Parking Concerns

Wednesday, 13 March 2024 16:25

By Martin Osborne

Specifically, the development failed to provide any commercial, retail, tourist, restaurant, community, or other active use to the ground floor.

Planning permission has been refused yet again for the construction of nine “age-friendly” apartments at Market House, Harbour View, Naas.

The proposal, submitted by Pat Keane, sought to renovate and reuse the protected structure for residential purposes.

However, the refusal was issued on several grounds

Council officials said the proposed development would contravene Town Centre zoning objectives and policies outlined in the Naas Local Area Plan 2021-2027.

Specifically, the development failed to provide any commercial, retail, tourist, restaurant, community, or other active use to the ground floor.

This absence of a vibrant, active frontage was deemed detrimental to the sustainability and vitality of the Canal Harbour/Canal Basin area, which forms part of the Canal Quarter.

Additionally, concerns were raised regarding the visual impact of the proposed development on the protected structure, Market House.

Kildare County Council deemed that the proposed scale and finish of the extensions were out of context with the existing Market House building and would negatively affect the architectural conservation area adjacent to the east.

Furthermore, the Council highlighted issues regarding privacy invasion between units, inadequate parking provision, and substandard private open spaces.

It was concluded that the proposed development would fail to offer an adequate level of residential amenity and living standards to future occupants, contravening policies outlined in the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029.
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