Day centre proposals for WALK put forward for county approval

PLANS for a day centre for the Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability (WALK) service at a premises in Tallaght have been submitted to South Dublin County Council.

The plans include the change of use of two ground-floor retail units in Coric House at Courthouse Square in Tallaght into a day-service centre.

The subject units are to the rear of the former BP O’Reilly offices, which are also in Coric House, and are fronting Courthouse Square and Tallaght District Court.

The proposed change of use comprises new internal partitions to accommodate meeting rooms, and open-plan learning spaces and toilet and staff facilities.

External works comprising the replacement of the existing shopfront at ground-floor level incorporating new windows, doors, fascia and signage, are also proposed.

A decision on the application is due from South Dublin County Council by September 12.

Coric House was the subject of a previous and unrelated planning application in 2020, which saw Mark Fitzgerald, co-founder and chairman of Sherry FitzGerald estate agents, receive planning permission for a restaurant development in the property.

The permitted plans include internal alterations to the existing office at first-floor level and a change of use of the two existing ground-floor retail units at the rear of the property.

These units are to be amalgamated into a single licensed restaurant premises.

External alterations include new restaurant and office signage and shop frontage to the rear of the premises, and three restaurant entrances – one at Old Bawn Road and two at Courthouse Square.

The plans include the use of the external paved area onto Courthouse Square as a restaurant seating area.