Thatched cottage gets new crowning glory
The refurbishment of a thatched cottage in Shantalla would not affect the residential amenities of houses in the immediate area.
This is the view of An Bord Pleanala which has granted planning permission for the rethatching of the house and the replacement of windows at the cottage.
But this development became the subject of a planning appeal on the grounds that it would affect the privacy of neighbouring householders.
However, An Bord Pleanala have granted planning for the renovations to the cottage subject to a number of conditions.
The cottage at Shantalla Road is a protected structure but it is proposed to carry out some developments on the property including re-thatching the existing roof.
It is also proposed to replace PVC doors and windows with timber sash windows and a timber door. It is also proposed to demolish a rear extension and construct a replacement building. But there has been opposition to the development from the owners of the houses on either side with various privacy issues being raised.
City planners granted permission to Maura Curran to carry out the refurbishment works on the old cottage several months ago.
But this decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanala by Maura Potter on one side and Catherine Nolan on the other.
It was stated that there was no permission to demolish a shared boundary wall and no permission to access the rear of the site via a side gate.
Those opposed to the development focussed mainly on the boundary walls between the houses and the need to maintain their privacy.
It was also requested that there be no new windows installed on the rear extension so that the privacy of the neighbouring dwellings could be maintained.
One of the residents claimed that one of the proposed windows would overlook her property. Another window proposed cannot be provided unless a rear block wall is demolished and permission has not been granted for this.
There were also allegations that increased noise had come from this property since the last renovation works carried out back in 2007.
There was opposition to a utility room which has a vent and dryer installed. One of the objectors wanted noise insulation as a condition of any permission issued by the local authority.
It was a condition of planning that one of the windows located at a dining room was omitted from the development.