Appeal against refusal of Kildare church plans to remove grotto to make way for pastoral centre
Planning refusal for a pastoral centre at St Coca’s Parish Church, Church Street, Kilcock has been appealed to An Coimisúin Pleanála by the parish
A decision to refuse planning permission for a pastoral centre at St Coca’s Parish Church, Church Street, Kilcock has been appealed to An Coimisúin Pleanála.
Parish priest, Fr George Augustine, on behalf of Kildare and Leighlin Diocesan Trust (Kandle Trust), wants permission to build a single storey limestone pastoral centre of 315 square metres to the south of the existing limestone church. The plans also include the removal of the existing 20th century grotto and a section of the existing boundary wall.
On April 15, Kildare County Council turned down the proposal.
“The proposed development, by reason of its siting, scale, massing and monolithic block form within the constrained curtilage of St. Coca’s Church, a protected structure, would obscure the front and side)principal elevations when viewed from Church Street and Mill Lane, respectively,” it said.
The local authority also said it considered the extent of stone wall to be removed to facilitate the proposed development was excessive.
The council said the proposed development would significantly detract from the setting and character of both the protected structure and the Kilcock Architectural Conservation Area.
It also pointed out the proposal contravenes several objectives of the Kildare County Development Plan 2023-2029 and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
Kandle Trust Ltd has now appealed this decision to An Coimisúin Pleanála.