Refurbishment of disused Katharine Tynan House deemed ‘acceptable’

THE REFURBISHMENT of Katharine Tynan House has been deemed to be “acceptable” by the council, although it has requested more information in relation to the change of use to a community centre..

Hibernia REIT Holdco Two Limited has applied for planning permission to refurbish Whitehall in Kingswood, which known locally as Katharine Tynan House, with the change of use from disused dwelling to a community centre.

Planning permission was lodged on July 1 and on July 29, South Dublin County Council (SDCC) requested additional information with regard to five points.

It stated that “there are concerns with the lack of information submitted in relation to the proposed community centre use in the context of the site and surrounding area”.

Under the County Development Plan (2016-2022), the applicant is required to provide rationale behind the propose community centre use and full details of “who exactly the proposal would cater for”.

They have been asked to provide details of how the centre would operate and how it would be viable long-term given the fact that Kingswood Community Centre is located around 600m away.

Full details of management arrangements of the community centre have also been requested.

Hibernia REIT have been asked to provide more information on the boundary fence, further pedestrian and vehicular access route particulars, surface water reports and an ecological survey.

The council did state that a full ecological survey should include, but not be limited to, a bat survey as well as biodiversity management proposals and mitigation measures.

There were several third-party submissions received in relation to the development, with Belgard Area and Kingswood Heights Residents’ Associations, Tallaght Community Council and South Dublin Conservation Society contributing.