Plans for development at former Dunleer Railway Station

Plans are underway for a development at the former mid-Louth railway station at Battsland in Dunleer, with a planning application lodged in recent days with Louth County Council.

Ruairí Crofts has applied 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 proposed 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.

A decision is due on the application, which is at a pre-validation stage, by 9 November, with submissions due by 19 October.

It is the second application in recent days by the applicant for a development at the former railway station. An application received by Louth County Council on 10 September, is seeking the go ahead for change of use to accommodate a gym/fitness facility, as well as internal refurbishment and minor alterations to the layout.

This application also provides for renovation and repair of the external envelope and interiors, repairs of existing windows and doors, reopening of previously blocked-up original window openings and fitting them with windows matching exiting 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".