Councillors approve plans for new car park and clean up of derelict site in Carrick-on-Suir

Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District’s councillors have unanimously approved two planning applications seeking permission to develop a new 33-space car park in Carrick and clean up a large derelict site along the town’s North Quay.

The councillors approved the Part 8 planning applications for the proposed Stable Lane Car Park and remediation of the 2.7 acres former Goldcrop site on the North Quay at a special meeting in Carrick-on-Suir Town Hall on Tuesday, February 6.

Council CEO reports were presented at the meeting recommending the approval of both developments.

Hot on the heels of the passing of the planning applications, the council submitted applications for over €2m worth of Rural Regeneration Development Fund grant aid to enable it roll out the two projects.

Last Thursday, February 16, was the deadline date for submission of applications to the Department of Community & Rural Development for the latest round of RRDF grants.

The Stable Lane Car Park is proposed for a site the council owns between Chapel Lane and Stable Lane.

The council is pursuing this car park project to offset the parking spaces that will be lost when Main Street is revamped under Carrick’s €17.8m Regeneration Scheme.

The car park project will include the creation of a vehicular entrance to the west from Chapel Street and a vehicle exit point at Stable Lane to the east.

The project will involve the demolition of existing walls, two sheds and a concrete yard within the proposed site.

It will also require the demolition of an existing boundary wall with Chapel Street and north boundary wall adjacent to Chapel Street to allow reconfiguration of the existing vehicle and pedestrian access points onto Chapel Street.

Other works include the demolition of a boundary wall with Stable Lane, drainage works and street lighting for the car park.

It’s also proposed to build a new boundary wall to the east of the site along Stable Lane including a vehicle exit point and pedestrian access point, and a new boundary wall to the north of the site adjacent to the Chapel Street entrance.

The planning application for the car park was approved at the special council meeting subject to the provision of a setback area adjacent to the car park on the eastern side for bin storage.

Meanwhile, the planning application for the remediation of the former Goldcrop property on the North Quay proposes to demolish and remove eight derelict buildings on the site, remove the boundary walls facing onto the Quay and remove the weighbridge located within the site.

Council planners in recommending the approval of the planning application, concluded the project presented no significant impacts on the conservation objectives of the Lower River Suir SAC and presented no flood risk issues. It will also be acceptable in terms of drainage.

The three conditions attached to the planning approval are that a detailed Construction Resource and Waste Management plan shall be agreed prior to commencement of works; that a Bat Derogation Licence be obtained prior to works starting and where existing external site boundary treatment is to be removed the replacement boundary treatment is agreed with the planning authority.

The Council estimates it will cost more than €1.5m to clean up the former Goldcrop land next to Dillon Bridge, which is one of the town's long-standing derelict site.

The Council purchased the extensive quayside property, a year ago and plans to draw up a masterplan for its redevelopment tourism, cultural, recreational, commercial and retail use.