The appeals body found that the proposed 3 storey structure would have “a significant injurious impact” on nearby historical monuments.
Last February TCORP Properties Ltd secured planning permission to redevelop Roscrea Shopping Centre on Castle Street . The plans included the construction of new retail outlets and health centre spanning three storey’s with the promise of dozens of jobs..
However The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaelteacht objected to the scale of the plans and the matter then went to An Bord Pleanala.
Initially an inspector with the planning appeals board, while expressing concerns over aspects of the plans, upheld Tipperary County Council decision to grant permission – feeling that on balance the development wouldn't impact on nearby historic monuments and had the potential to enhance the viability of Roscrea town Centre.
However when the inspectors submissions were subsequently discussed by An Bord Pleanala's board – it decided to refuse permission for the project stating it wouldn't deliver the appropriate balance between conservation and development in the historic town.
But the project could still get off the ground, albeit on a smaller scale, because planning permission granted to TCORP in 2012 for a two storey development on the site still stands and can't be appealed at this stage.
