Colour green for arts centre

Plans for the development of a new arts centre on the shores of Lough Derg have been approved by North Tipperary County Council.
McKeogh Brothers, who recently celebrated 150 years of business in their hardware and nearby foodstore in Ballina-Killaloe, have been given the green light to change the use of a vacant commercial unit at 2, Ballina Quay to an arts centre, including art, craft, dance, drama and gallery space.
North Tipperary County Council attached three planning conditions that require the applicant to complete the development in accordance with drawings and documentation submitted with the application on June 4 last.
The premises has to be closed between 9pm and 9am, unless otherwise agreed with the planning authority, while signage at the site has to be limited to a painted facia sign, which may be externally illuminated.
According to planning documents submitted to the council by Limerick-based chartered architects Michael Barker and Company, there are no changes to the front façade of the existing building, while internal alterations will be kept to a minimum and are limited mainly to sanitary facilities and folding partitions.
“Seventy-four car-parking spaces are provided for 48 residences and four commercial units; 48 of these are required for the residents, leaving 26 spaces for commercial requirements.
“This doesn’t take into account the differing hours of usage for the commercial and residential units and it is probable that in excess of 40 spaces will be available during commercial hours. The car-parking requirement for the arts centre is estimated to be from two to a maximum of 10 spaces,” Mr Barker stated.
In a planning appraisal provided by an executive planner, it was stated that this development would provide a use that would complement amenities in the locality by adding to the facilities available to tourists and residents.
The planner recommended hours of operation should be limited to between 9am and 9pm in order to avoid undue noise and disturbance to residents. The planner decided that no levies should apply with respect to car parking, as adequate spaces are already provided in accordance with the standards set out in the 2004 County Development Plan.
This site is part of a recently completed development comprising a mix of ground-floor commercial units with first-floor apartments and terraced dwellings forming a new street extending from the river to the Nenagh Road. It also comprises a vacant unit at the entrance.
In 2004, the council granted planning permission for 34 townhouses, six apartments, nine duplex units, four commercial/retail/office units and ancillary site development accessed from the Ballina Quay and the Portroe Road.
Planning approval was also given earlier this year for a change of use from retail/office to restaurant at 5, Ballina Quay.