Westgate 2040
Public Notice
Notice of Application to An Bord Pleanála for Approval
Louth County Council
Pursuant to Sections 175 and 177AE of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) and associated requirements of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended), notice is hereby given that Louth County Council proposes to make an application to An Bord Pleanála to seek approval to carry out an urban regeneration project within the Westgate Vision Area of Drogheda, Co Louth.
The application site covers an area of approx. 1.89 hectares which includes the following lanes/streets/roads/areas and their adjoining footpath/public realm/junction areas: R132/Bridge of Peace/George’s Street (including the underpass on the northern side of the River Boyne); George’s Square; Father Connolly Way (including part of an existing car park area); Dominick Street; Patrickswell Lane; Old Abbey Lane (including an area to the rear of 56/57 West Street); Scholes Lane; R900/West Street/Narrow West Street; Fair Street; and Wellington Quay, in the townland of Moneymore, Drogheda, Co Louth. It is noted that the application site is partly located within the following Architectural Conservation Areas: Fair Street; Old Abbey Lane; and West Street and Surrounding Streets.
The overall objective of the ‘Westgate 2040’ project is to act as a catalyst to support positive urban regeneration and public realm improvements in the Westgate Vision Area of Drogheda Town Centre. The proposed development consists of the following:
(1) Public realm improvement works comprising: new hard landscaping including resurfacing, soft landscaping including new tree planting, a water feature channel with stepped concrete elements and integrated landscaping, a Corten steel ground insert delineating the location of the former medieval town wall, a wayfinding Corten steel ground insert, Corten steel signs, Corten steel walkways, street furniture, new pedestrian connections, a SUDS rainwater retention pond, cycle lanes, pedestrian footpaths, external steps, tactile paving, road signs, cycle parking stands and provision of new railings;
(2) Public realm improvement works will also include the creation of a new urban plaza gateway/arrival area at Georges Square and a new enhanced public amenity area adjacent the River Boyne riverfront including a new pedestrian wooden deck promenade/boardwalk;
(3) Demolition of the existing public toilet block at George’s Square (between the junctions of George’s Street/Fair Street and George’s Street/West Street), a section of boundary wall located between Old Abbey Lane and Father Connolly Way and a section of wall located between Dominick Street and Dominick Street car park;
(4) A new raised, free-standing, curved walkway located between the R132 and the existing Medieval Wall to provide a universally accessible connection from West Street to the River Boyne riverfront;
(5) A new freestanding Corten steel pavilion located adjacent the River Boyne riverfront to create a new mixed use/public space;
(6) A new freestanding Corten steel canopy located within, and offset from, the remains of the Old Abbey (being a Protected Structure – ID No. DB-187 and a recorded monument - RMP No. LH024-041011) to create a new flexible community and cultural space;
(7) Two freestanding Corten steel structures located at the junction of West Street and the R132/George’s Street to mark the location of the former medieval West Gate;
(8) Repair and restoration of the old Medieval Wall located adjacent the R132/George’s Street (being a Protected Structure – ID No. DB-188 and a recorded monument - RMP No. LH024-041014);
(9) Repair and restoration of the Old Abbey (being a Protected Structure – ID No. DB-187 and a recorded monument - RMP No. LH024-041011) including the west gable of its north aisle located within Old Abbey Lane;
(10) Reprioritisation of traffic and movement patterns for the streets/roads/lanes/footpaths within the application site to accommodate the proposed public realm improvement works and integrate with the Council’s emerging Active Travel projects to the north and south of George’s Street/R132;
(11) Road improvement works to include alteration of road alignment, resurfacing, shared surface treatments, revised access arrangements, cycle lanes, pedestrian crossing points, parking bays, loading bays, accessible parking bays, bus stops and new public lighting; and
(12) All associated site works including: drainage, undergrounding of services and all associated ancillary development works.
A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) and Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) have been prepared in respect of the proposed development. All plans and particulars of the proposed development, including the NIS and EIAR, will be available for inspection free of charge and can be downloaded free of charge from the consultation portal of Louth County Council or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy during normal office hours 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday from 20th December 2023 to 09th February 2024 (inclusive) at the following locations:
- An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902.
- County Hall, Millennium Centre, St Alphonsus Street, Dundalk, Co Louth
- County Council Offices, Fair Street, Drogheda, Co Louth
- The consultation portal of Louth County Council https://consult.louthcoco.ie/
Submissions or observations may be made to An Bord Pleanála on the proposed development in relation to:
(i) the implications of the proposed development for proper planning and sustainable development in the area concerned,
(ii) the likely effects on the environment of the proposed development, and
(iii) the likely significant effects of the proposed development on a European site, if carried out.
Any submissions or observations may be made in writing to An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, DO1 V902 not later than 09th February 2024 at 5.30 pm.
An Bord Pleanála may give approval to Louth County Council’s application for development with or without conditions or may refuse the application for development. A person may question the validity of a decision of the Board by way of an application for judicial review, under Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No. 15 of 1986, as amended) in accordance with section 50 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended). Practical information on the judicial review mechanism can be accessed under the heading ‘Publications – Judicial Review Notice’ on An Bord Pleanála’s website (https://www.pleanala.ie) or on the Citizens Information Services website www.citizensinformation.ie.