Appeal Lodged Against Ashford Sports Hub

Arcadia Architects plans for Ashford new community centre…

ith planning filed a year ago, Wicklow Planning gave the renovation of Ashford’s old Garda Station the thumbs up back on April 2nd…

The old building finally set to become a sports and recreation centre for the village.

Which might just come in handy, given the population boom in Ashford.

But now a third-party appeal has been lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála,  just as the four-week deadline to do so approached. Case no.501256 will be decided on August 31st.

The main part of the project will be the construction of a basketball court at the back of the building, which may be used for other indoor sports such as padel and badminton.

The original planning application no.2560316 reads…

Sports and recreation hub for Ashford Village. The development is comprised of the change of use and alterations/extension to the former detached Garda Barracks building (protected structure) to accommodate a multi-purpose community indoor sports and recreation hall with ancillary facilities including reception, activity rooms, kitchen, toilets and storerooms. The development also provides for disabled carpark space/set down, bicycle parking, site development works with connection to existing local public mains services and all associated site works.

Submitted by the Ashford Development Association, the estimated cost of the renovation is €3 million, with the building – derelict since 2003 – dating back to 1840.

At the time of the original planning application, Tánaiste Simon Harris said, “I would like to thank Noel Keyes and the Ashford Development Association for their efforts in getting this over the line, as well as Councillor Shane Langrell who has also been extremely vocal in his support for this project.

“While this is just the early stages of the process, I have no doubt that this project will deliver real and lasting benefits for the community.

“I look forward to watching it take shape and to seeing the positive impact it will have on the lives of people in Ashford.”