Mixed use development including 94 homes planned for mid-Louth

Plans are underway for a mixed-use development that would include retail, a café, and 94 new homes, if given the go ahead by Louth County Council.

Mary Nugent has applied for planning permission for the development at the Ardee Road (R170), Ravel, Dunleer, Co Louth, on a site that includes a vacant two storey dwelling house that is included on the Louth County Council Record of Protected Structures, and a complex of derelict stone outbuildings and disused agricultural structures to the side and rear of the dwelling house. 

The proposed development includes modifications to and the change of use of the existing dwelling house from residential to office uses, in addition to modifications to, and partial demolition of, stone outbuildings to the side and rear to provide a retail unit and a café wrapped around an external courtyard, with access to the courtyard provided off Ardee Road (R170).

The proposed residential element consists of 94 dwellings in the form of houses, duplex units and apartments, of which 86 are houses/duplex dwellings and eight are apartments. The houses and duplex dwellings are accommodated in buildings 2.5–3 storey in height with a limited number encompassing terraces at first and second floor level.

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The eight apartments are accommodated in a stand-alone building fronting the Ardee Road (R170) to the west of the proposed access. The apartment building is two storeys in height, with a three storey set-back and with balconies proposed at upper floor levels.

Planned works to the existing two storey house consist of the demolition of single storey elements to the side and rear, as well as internal modifications comprising the removal of limited sections of external and internal walls at ground and first floor level and conservation and repair works to surviving historic fabric.

The proposed development includes the change of use of all remaining floor space within the dwelling house to office use. It is also proposed to lower sections of the external side boundary wall to the front garden. All conservation works proposed would be undertaken by skilled, experienced contractors under the supervision of a Grade 1 Conservation Architect. 

The house is identified on the Record of Protected Structures under RPS Ref. No. LHS 018-023. The protected status is extended to the house and front boundary railings only and excludes the outbuildings. In the Record of Protected Structures it is described as being a "detached five-bay two-storey house, built c. 1780. Rectangular-plan with breakfront to centre north elevation, return and lean-to addition to north, single-storey gable-fronted porch to south.

In its appraisal it says that: "The house is a prominent townscape feature and contributes positively to the streetscape. The fine quality ironwork and evidence of earlier features such as the sash windows to the north elevation add to the interest and potential historical wealth of the building."

The modification works to the outbuildings which are excluded from protection, include the demolition of a single store section to the rear and the removal of sections to the rear and the removal of sections of external walls to provide new window and floor openings, including opening onto the Ardee Road.

A decision is due on the planning application, which is at a pre-validation stage, by 9 June, with submissions due by 19 May 2025.