HomeMy WebLinkAbout2660298 - F.I. Received Doc. - Application - Cover Letter
14th September 2026
Monaghan County Council
1 Dublin Street
Monaghan
Co. Monaghan
H18 X982
Permission for the part change of use of an existing creche to a funeral home, new
external signage and associated site development works at Thomas Street,
Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan A75 XE30.
Applicant: Peter McCaughey Funeral Directors
REF No. 26/60298
Planner – Brian McGeary
Dear Brian,
I refer to your request, dated 28/08/26, seeking further information in support of the above application
and wish to respond as follows:
Response No.1
1(a) Revised Development Description
The Planning Authority has noted that the submitted development description referred to the existing
building as having previously been used as a creche, whereas the Planning Authority's records
indicate that the last known authorised use of the building was as a gymnasium under Planning
References 02/40020 and 01/40992.
The applicant acknowledges this point and agrees that the development description should be
amended to accurately reflect the established planning history of the building.
Accordingly, the development description is hereby revised to read:
“Permission for the part change of use of an existing building, previously authorised for use as a
gymnasium, to a funeral home, together with new external timber signage and associated site
development works.”
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The revised description accurately identifies the previous authorised use of the building and clarifies
the nature and extent of the proposed development.
1(b) Revised Site Notice
A revised site notice identifying the submission as Significant Further Information/Revised Plans, as
appropriate, has been prepared in accordance with the Planning Authority's request.
A copy of the revised site notice is submitted with this Further Information response and will be
erected at the application site.
1(c) Revised Press Notice
A revised press notice incorporating the amended development description and identifying the
submission as Significant Further Information, has also been prepared.
A copy of the revised press notice is submitted with this Further Information response.
1(d) Submission of Notices
Copies of the revised site notice and revised press notice are included with the Further Information
submission for the Planning Authority's records.
2. CAR PARKING
The Planning Authority has requested that the applicant provide a revised site layout plan
demonstrating provision for 7 No. car parking spaces, having regard to Section 15.24 and Table 15.5
of the Monaghan County Development Plan 2025–2031.
The applicant wishes to clarify the established parking arrangements associated with the premises and
refers the Planning Authority in particular to the enclosed historic correspondence from Castleblayney
Urban District Council dated 3 October 2001, Ref. AMCD/CW, relating to the planning permission
for the gymnasium at Upper Commons, Castleblayney, File Ref. CB992/01.
The enclosed letter confirms that Castleblayney Urban District Council had considered the parking
provision associated with the authorised gymnasium use and agreed to accept payment in respect of 4
No. car parking spaces, in lieu of the provision of those spaces, in the amount of £6,000.
The letter therefore provides documentary evidence of the established arrangement whereby four
spaces associated with the authorised use were addressed through the public car parking
provision/financial contribution arrangement accepted by the local authority.
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In addition to this established public parking arrangement, there are 3 No. existing parking spaces
within the existing front yard area serving the building.
Accordingly, the established parking provision available to serve the premises comprises:
• 4 No. spaces addressed through the established public car parking arrangement, as confirmed
by the Castleblayney Urban District Council correspondence dated 3 October 2001; and
• 3 No. existing spaces within the existing front yard area.
This provides a total of 7 No. parking spaces associated with the premises and its established parking
arrangements.
The applicant therefore considers that the 7 No. parking spaces identified by the Planning Authority
as being required for the proposed funeral home use are adequately catered for.
It is important to note that the current proposal does not involve any extension to the existing
building, increase in floor area or significant alteration to the existing site layout. The application
relates to the part change of use of an existing building together with the provision of external
signage.
There is consequently no physical expansion of the premises giving rise to a requirement for
additional parking areas.
The revised site layout plan (dwg. No. PM-FI-002) submitted with this response identifies the 3 No.
existing parking spaces within the site. The enclosed correspondence from Castleblayney Urban
District Council is submitted as supporting evidence of the established arrangement relating to the
additional 4 No. spaces.
The applicant respectfully requests that the Planning Authority have regard to this historic Council
correspondence when considering the existing parking arrangements and the adequacy of the overall
provision.
3. SURFACE WATER, FOUL DRAINAGE AND WATER PROTECTION
The Planning Authority has requested a revised site layout showing the storm water drainage system,
storm water outfalls, foul drainage, any oil/petrol interceptors, outfalls and drainage areas, together
with consideration of SUDS/soft engineering measures.
The applicant wishes to clarify that the proposal involves the part change of use of an existing
building only.
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There is:
• no extension to the existing building;
• no increase in floor area;
• no new building proposed;
• no significant new hardstanding proposed;
• no alteration to the existing yard arrangement;
• no new surface water drainage system proposed;
• no alteration to the existing storm water outfall proposed;
• no alteration to the existing foul drainage system proposed; and
• no new drainage connection proposed.
The existing drainage and servicing arrangements associated with the building will remain unchanged.
As there is no additional floor area or new development generating additional surface water or foul
drainage requirements, the applicant considers that there is no requirement to alter or extend the
existing drainage infrastructure.
The proposed change of use will take place within the existing building footprint and will not result in
additional impermeable areas or physical changes to the existing drainage arrangements.
Accordingly, the applicant respectfully considers that the requested drainage infrastructure is not
applicable to the development proposed.
For completeness, the revised site layout plan identifies the existing site arrangement and confirms
that no alterations to the existing drainage infrastructure are proposed.
3(b) Uisce Éireann – Confirmation of Feasibility
The Planning Authority has requested a Confirmation of Feasibility letter from Uisce Éireann
confirming that Castleblayney Wastewater Treatment Plant has capacity to accept the hydraulic and
organic loading arising from the proposed development.
The applicant respectfully requests that this requirement be considered in the context of the nature and
scale of the proposed development.
The application does not propose:
• a new building;
• an extension to the existing building;
• an increase in floor area;
• a new wastewater connection; or
• any alteration to the existing wastewater infrastructure.
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The existing building is already serviced by existing infrastructure, and the current proposal is for a
part change of use within the existing building.
No new connection to the public wastewater network is therefore proposed or required as part of this
application.
The applicant has consequently not sought a new connection from Uisce Éireann, as there is no new
connection being proposed.
On this basis, the applicant respectfully considers that a Confirmation of Feasibility for a new
connection is not applicable to the current proposal.
3(c) Water Protection Plan Checklist
The applicant acknowledges the request for a completed Water Protection Plan Checklist.
Given the nature of the proposal, there is no new development, excavation, additional floor area, new
drainage infrastructure or new wastewater connection proposed.
4. REMAINING AREAS WITHIN THE EXISTING BUILDING
The Planning Authority has requested clarification regarding the future intended use of the remaining
adjoining rooms within the existing building which do not form part of the current application,
including the existing store area, changing areas and steam room area. The steam room is to be
abandoned. The applicant is in full control of the entire building and no other use will be permitted in
the areas to be unused. This area is simply for future expansion.
The applicant confirms that these areas do not form part of the proposed funeral home use under the
current planning application.
The applicant's immediate intention is that these remaining areas will be left unused and closed off
from the proposed operation.
They will not form part of the day-to-day operation of the proposed funeral home and are not required
for the operation of the funeral home use being applied for under this application.
The applicant may consider an appropriate future use for these areas at a later date. Any such future
use, where planning permission is required, will be the subject of a separate planning application to
the Planning Authority.
Accordingly, the applicant confirms that there is no intention under the current application to
introduce an additional or ancillary use into the remaining areas.
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The proposed funeral home will operate solely within the area identified as forming part of the current
application.
The remaining areas will therefore remain unused in the immediate term, ensuring that the extent of
the proposed change of use is clearly defined and that no additional use is being sought through the
current application.
5. SHOPFRONT AND EXTERNAL SIGNAGE
The Planning Authority has requested additional details regarding the proposed shopfront and
shopfront signage, including scaled dimensional drawings and details of materials, colouring, lighting
and lettering.
The applicant wishes to clarify that no new shopfront is proposed as part of this application.
There will be no replacement shopfront, new fascia or alteration to the existing shopfront/front
elevation.
The only proposed intervention to the front of the building is the installation of new external timber
signage associated with Peter McCaughey Funeral Directors.
The proposed signage will comprise a timber sign with hand-painted lettering.
The intention is to provide a simple, traditional and understated form of signage which is appropriate
to the proposed use and sympathetic to the character of the existing building and surrounding
streetscape.
The signage will have the following characteristics:
• Material: Natural/finished timber;
• Lettering: Hand-painted lettering;
• Finish: Traditional painted timber finish;
• Lighting: No internally illuminated signage proposed;
• External illumination: No separate external illumination proposed;
• Form: Simple timber sign;
• Fixing: Discreetly fixed to the existing building frontage;
• Shopfront alteration: None proposed.
The proposed signage is intentionally modest in scale and appearance and will not result in a visually
intrusive alteration to the existing streetscape.The proposal is limited to the installation of the timber
hand-painted signage described above.
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CONCLUSION
The applicant respectfully submits that the above information addresses the matters raised by the
Planning Authority in its Further Information request.
For clarity, the principal points are summarised as follows:
1. Development Description: The development description has been amended to correctly
identify the previous authorised use of the building as a gymnasium, having regard to
Planning References 02/40020 and 01/40992.
2. Statutory Notices: Revised site and press notices incorporating the amended development
description have been prepared and are submitted with this response.
3. Car Parking: The Planning Authority has identified a requirement for 7 No. parking spaces.
The applicant has demonstrated that this requirement is catered for through 3 No. existing
spaces within the site and the established arrangement for 4 No. spaces through the public car
parking provision, supported by the enclosed letter from Castleblayney Urban District
Council dated 3 October 2001, Ref. AMCD/CW, relating to File Ref. CB992/01.
4. Drainage: The proposal involves no extension or increase in floor area and no alteration to the
existing drainage arrangements. No new surface water or foul drainage infrastructure is
proposed.
5. Uisce Éireann: No new wastewater connection is proposed. The existing building is already
serviced, and no alteration to the existing wastewater infrastructure is proposed. The applicant
therefore considers that a new Confirmation of Feasibility is not applicable.
6. Remaining Building Areas: The store, changing and steam room areas do not form part of the
current application and will remain unused in the immediate future. Any future proposed use
of these areas will be addressed through a separate planning application, where required.
7. Signage: No new shopfront is proposed. The proposal is limited to new timber signage with
hand-painted lettering, with no internal or external illumination proposed.
The applicant respectfully requests that the Planning Authority consider the above response and
accompanying documentation in its assessment of the planning application.
We trust that the information provided satisfactorily addresses the matters raised and we respectfully
request that the application proceed to determination.
A schedule of all documents being submitted in response to the further information request is
attached.
Should you have any queries regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours faithfully,
Ryan Carroll
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