77 space carpark for Virginia

The provision of off-street parking for Virginia moved one step closer as members of the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District local authority approved planning for the 77-space facility.

Cavan County Council proposes to carry out the construction of the new carpark adjacent to Main Street. When a project is being progressed by the local authority, planning permission is applied for under Part VIII of the Planning and Development regulations.

Marice Galligan-Graham, senior planner with Cavan County Council, gave details to the MD members of the progress of the carpark. The council planner said an Appropriate Assessment (AA) screening report, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIS) screening report and an Architectural Impact Assessment (AIA) of the proposed development have been completed.

The development is within the curtilage of protected structures and submissions were requested from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Inland Fisheries. Ms Galligan-Graham noted that the County Development Plan emphasises the importance of providing car parking spaces in key urban centres.

It’s anticipated that there will be provisions for Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points in the facility. The senior planner said approval from Cavan County Council was subject to four conditions relating to boundary considerations, landscaping and infrastructure.

Cllr Shane P O’Reilly (FF) acknowledged the efforts of former FG councillor Paddy O’Reilly who was “tenacious” in his efforts to bring the project to fruition over a 16-year period.

“This will be a positive addition to the retail infrastructure of the town,” Cllr TP O’Reilly said of the carpark.

Cathaoirleach Winston Bennett commended the assistance of the O’Donoghue and Fay families saying their co-operation was crucial in making the project possible.

Director of Services Eoin Doyle acknowledged the work of local authority staff in progressing the project: “This is an important project of Virginia. It will address some of the vehicle pressure in the town and in conjunction with the €3.5M Main Street Virginia Safety and Pavement Scheme will enhance the overall aesthetic of the town.”

Mr Doyle also noted the behind the scenes work of another former councillor, Paddy Smith (FG), in moving the development forward.