Previous use key to Castle Road plan

By Anne Marie Eaton, Dundalk Democrat

DEVELOPERS who are hoping to develop an apartment block in one of the town centre's mainly residential roads must prove that the building has had a commercial history. A substantial number of residents are opposed to the plans which would see the development of a two storey office block on Castle Road and are understood to have lodged objections to the local authority.

A number of councillors, it would seem, are siding with the residents and are anxious to preserve the residential aspect of the road. Assistant Planner Karen Hamilton said that if granted councillors would be required to vote on material contravention of the residential zoning.She did say that the applicant, Neil Osborne, Jocelyn Place was contending that the building had been used for a commercial purpose but added that the onus is on the applicant to prove that the building had previously been used for commercial purposes.

"The applicant claims that the use of No 1 was commercial and are applying under previous use."Cllr Mark Dearey who proposed that the application be refused spoke out for the preservation of Castle Road as a residential area. "It's perfect preservation and entirely residential.

"Cllr Martin Bellew who said he would support Cllr Dearey's proposal to refuse said he had concerns about how the vote would be perceived by the public."It will go out to the people that we recommended refusal. I'm afraid that people will think this is an outright refusal. Councillors have no say in planning, we can only make recommendations. "Instead he proposed that the matter come back to the councillors.

Administrative Officer Jim Byrne replied: "If it is going to be granted it will have to come back to the councillors to vary the development plan if they can't prove commercial use."