‘Central' plan dream over as site is placed on the market
The bright shiny plan of the mid-noughties that was to see Mullingar provided with a new and glossy mixed-use shopping/office and residential development going by the name ‘Central’ looks to be at a permanent end.
The prominent auctioneering firm Savills has advertised for sale a 4.23-acre block of ground running from the offices of Westmeath County Council to the railway station, and taking in a portion of the car parking space on what was the old Fitzsimons’s yard.
The guiding price is in excess of €1.8 million.
The site formed part of the larger holding which was to form ‘Central’.
The planning permission for Central has now expired, and there is currently no planning permission in place on the site, which is zoned ‘mixed use’.
Mark Reynolds of Savills says the site, being just south of Oliver Plunkett Street, offers any owner occupier or developer the opportunity to acquire a strategic site within the town centre benefiting from its proximity to the main streets and also Mullingar train station.
“The property offers an exceptional development opportunity,” he said, pointing out that the zoning in place allows for an array of development opportunities, subject to the necessary planning approval.
“We expect strong interest, due to its proximity to the town centre and train station, and the various end uses available under the favourable zoning objective,” said Mr Reynolds.
The Central plan was put forward by Rickaton, a firm associated with Bennett Construction.
“The scheme included residential, retail, office, cinema, restaurants, café, fitness suite (gym), crèche and medical centre which provides good planning precedence for a range of end uses in the current market,” says Mr Reynolds.
Mullingar has enjoyed steady population growth in recent years, being one of the more popular commuter towns in the greater Dublin area, Savills point out.
Being located adjacent to the train station provides access to Dublin city centre in just over an hour by rail.