Proposed 24-hour gym development in Leitrim stalled amid TII road safety concerns
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has lodged an objection to a proposed 24-hour gym and apartment development in Carrick-on-Shannon, citing concerns over impacts on the N4.
A submission opposing the proposed development of a 24-hour gym and apartments in Carrick-on-Shannon has been lodged by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), which states that the development would “create an adverse impact on the national road,” the N4.
A planning application was submitted on April 24 by AEA Investment Holdings for a proposed development at Dublin Road, Attifinlay Td, Carrick-on-Shannon (N41 HX23).
The proposal includes converting part of the existing ground floor front area, measuring approximately 800 square metres, into a 24-hour gym. The facility would include changing rooms, shower rooms, locker areas, gym equipment, storage facilities, and all associated works.
In addition, the rear section of the building at first and second floor level is proposed to be converted into 26 residential units. These would consist of six two-bedroom apartments and 20 one-bedroom apartments, along with all associated works.
The application further states that the front section of the building at first and second floor level would be used for 29 one-bedroom suites intended for letting accommodation, including all associated works.
READ NEXT: 'Lovely Leitrim will be no more': concerns raised over wind farm project at public meeting
A decision was due to be made on the proposal by June 18, but Leitrim County Council has currently put the application on hold in order to obtain more information, including a traffic assessment.
A submission from TII dated May 22 further detailed how they view the application as being at variance with official policy in relation to development on or affecting national roads.
It also noted that the development site is within an area considered for a future national road scheme, and that in their view the proposed development “could prejudice plans for the design of this scheme,” and that the application is “premature” pending the determination of this route.
TII strongly recommended that a traffic and transport assessment, and a road safety audit, should be carried out in line with TII guidelines, at the developer’s expense, by an independent engineer.
“The authority is of the opinion that insufficient data has been submitted with the planning application to demonstrate that the proposed development will not have a detrimental impact on the capacity, safety or operational efficiency of the national road network in the vicinity of the site,” the TII’s submission concluded.