A change of use from a squash court to a commercial gym in Mountmellick will cost the applicant over €20,000 in development contributions.
Planning permission was granted this week for the change of use from a squash court to a commercial gym at Manor Street.
The application, which was was submitted by Peter Watchorne, will incur €20,684 in development contributions.
The charge is so high because it does not have the required amount of car parking spaces on site.
The development, at the existing premises, has been granted subject to 9 conditions.
The change of use from squash club to commercial gym is for both the ground and first floor.
It also involves the retention of three windows to the side elevation and one new window to the front.
Under the conditions, no advertising signage is allowed to be erected on the building.
The granted application also allows for the retention of signage to the front elevation at Manor Street, Mountmellick.
The property is liable for a development levy of €9,684.
A further charge of €11,000 will also be levied on the new commercial gym, as it is deemed to have a shortfall of 11 parking spaces.
This charge will be applied unless the applicant can gather this amount of spaces on site.
These 11 spaces are required under guideliness set down in the Mountmellick local area plan.
As parking is available nearby on O’Moore Street, it is deemed acceptable to levy this parking charge in lieu of the spaces.
These charges must be paid within 12 weeks of the grant of planning permission.
The grant of planning permission notes that further information was received on a revised floor lay-out to deal with concerns of the council’s chief fire officer.
The grant of planning permission “would not prejudice the amenities of the area or the properties in the vicinity” and is in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development, the decision from the council outlines in its decision.
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