Go ahead given for development at former Dunleer Railway Station

An Coimisiún Pleanála has given the go ahead for a development at the former Dunleer Railway Station, after an appeal was lodged against Louth County Council’s decision to grant planning permission for a development at the former railway station at Battsland in Dunleer.

Ruairí Crofts applied in September 2025 for planning permission for the development at the the Station Master’s Dwelling at the former railway station in Dunleer, which is listed in the Louth County Council Record of Protected Structures, protected structure ref. 13830005. 

The planned development consists of the change of use of the Former Station Master’s Dwelling from a library to a gym/fitness facility. The application also provides for internal alterations to the building and all associated site works.

The former railway station is described in the Louth County Council Record of Protected Structures as "station buildings, single storey, red brick with yellow brick trim, goods shed. built 1881, no longer in use" and in its appraisal says that "the fine timber detailing and polychromatic brickwork of Dunleer railway station adds to the interest and character of this building.

“Designed by N.A. Mills, the structure stands as a reminder of the confidence of the Victorian rail era".

The proposed development had been opposed by mid-Louth local representative, Councillor Dolores Minogue, who said in a submission to Louth County Council on the planned development that the "Dunleer railway should be retained and protected as a potential future public transport corridor.

“Reopening this line for public use would represent a meaningful and forward-looking investment in sustainable transport infrastructure in line with national and regional transport and climate objectives."

Louth County Council granted planning permission for the development on 7 May, subject to eight planning conditions.

A third party appeal against the decision was lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála on 29 May by Aidan Torres.

An Coimisiún Pleanála made the decision to grant planning permission for the development on 15 September, for a period of five years, subject to six planning conditions, one of which states that: “this permission shall be for a period of five years from the date of this Order, after which the gym/fitness facility use shall cease, unless a separate grant of planning permission has been obtained prior to the expiry of this period”.

Included in its reasons for granting planning permission, An Coimisiún Pleanála said that: “ The Commission considered that the proposal would not detract from the character of the adjacent protected structure, would not impact on the future reopening of Dunleer rail station nor impede the future development of railway facilities within the subject site nor seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity and the temporary permission would therefore not conflict with the transport related objectives of national and local planning .

“The proposed development would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area. “