Planning board okays Fair Green development

An objection to an Bord Pleanála by the developers of the now-abandoned Mullingar "Central" shopping development against the expansion of the shopping centre at Mullingar's Fair Green, has been over-ruled by officials at the planning board.Rickaton Construction Ltd., c/o Bennett Developments Ltd. of Old Custom Building, Merchant's Yard, East Wall Road Dublin, objected to Westmeath County Council's grant of planning permission to Habbingley Ltd., c/o Henry J. Lyons and Partners, of Haddington Court, Haddington Road, Dublin, for alterations to and an extension of the Fair Green shopping centre.The development proposed for the site by Habbingley is for a two-storey over basement extension, containing fourteen retail units; three units for fitness, medical and treatment centre uses respectively; offices; and a cafe/restaurant together with an underground carpark containing 207 vehicle car park and ten bicycle spaces.The current centre has 284 car parking spaces and six retail units, and a gross floor area of 19,461 square metres. The extension would up the floor area by 16,715 square metres.The developers intend creating a new public entrance off the existing open space to the east of Columb Barracks, and, to facilitate access, the widenint of the entrance road to Columb Drive and the existing road to the rear of Grand Parade.The grounds of appeal submitted by Rickaton argued that the proposed development was contrary to provisions in the Development Plan which require a more appropriate mixture of uses within town centre; and that the proposed development would not add to the vitality and vibrancy of Mullingar Town Centre. The firm also argued that the mix of uses within the development was "deficient", and that there was an over-predominance of retail use within the scheme, that there should have been a requirement that the developers provide a residential element.Rickaton also argued that the proposal incorporated weak linkages to the commercial core of the town and that the proposed development would give rise to traffic problems.The Inspector, in his report, noted that the Westmeath County Development Plan envisaged that retail development in Mullingar would be focused in the town centre and on edge of centre sites immediately adjoining the town centre…… including Fairgreen"."It appears therefore that the expansion of the shopping facilities at Fairgreen is a recognised and specific policy objective contained in the County Development Plan, Town Plan and Retail Planning Strategy for the county," he said, adding that he was also not convinced that the location would be ideal or suitable for a residential component.He overruled the question of the predomination of retail space, stating that five separate uses were proposed in the current application.The Inspector also said there was "little doubt" but that the development would "significantly improve the environmental and visual amenity of the area having regard to the existing land uses on the western portion of the site."