The Mullingar-based John Madden architectural practice is behind the success of a now granted planning application for the alteration and extension of part of the existing agricultural training college buildings at Franciscan Abbey, Multyfarnham, Co. Westmeath.

The plans were approved in late July by Westmeath County Council to allow the construction of the LARCC Cancer Care and Console Living with Suicide by Westmeath County Council.

The development will provide cancer counselling, retreat and a suicide and training centre.

The alteration involves renovating the existing rooms to provide administration counselling offices, meeting rooms, bedrooms with ensuites, common rooms, therapy rooms, new stairwell and fire escapes, toilet facilities, kitchen and dining areas.

-- Advertisement --

The extension is also to include a sunroom and a coffee shop/common room to service the visitors, residents, clients and staff of both facilities.

The plans include the upgrade of the existing foul and storm water sewage infrastructure and to install new pipeline and infrastructure on site and to install new Telecom, ESB and water main supply to the Friary to cater for the increase in demand.

Permission to demolish the derelict building and the gymnasium on the north west side of Franciscan Abbey and to reconstruct one boiler house and bin storage facility to house the plant room for the entire development on site has also been given.

The existing entrance on the Coole Road R152 is to be changed too, to provide safe access and exiting from the facility and to upgrade the existing farm entrance to the new facilities and to provide layby, parking bay, refuse turning areas and car and bicycle parking facilities to cater for all the new facilities being provided on site.

The Environmental Consultant on the successful team is David Kelly Partnership, of Youghal Co. Cork.

(BMcC/GK)