A Part 8 planning application has been lodged for the refurbishment, repurposing and extension of a former Courthouse and Bridewell in Newport, County Tipperary, as a multi-purpose community-focussed hub.

The former Courthouse is a Protected Structure comprised of a detached, three bay, single-storey court house, built in the early 1860s. The Bridewell (or gaol) is also a Protected Structure and is located adjacent to the Courthouse with an open courtyard in between the two structures, bounded by enclosing walls to the north and south. These structures in association with the courtyard and open access areas to the north and south and a forecourt bounded at the street edge by a low wall comprise the development site.

The application proposes that the buildings and open spaces are repurposed as a multi-purpose community-focussed hub with a proposed new infill / extension and public realm improvements within the site curtilage which will combine to support the requirements of the new facility.

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Works involve:

• Refurbishment with internal and external alterations to the Protected Structure including installation of new windows and doors, building fabric upgrades for energy efficiency, building services installations, along with repairs and upgrades to roof coverings and rainwater goods.

• New infill / extension between the existing Courthouse and Bridewell buildings, across two levels including installation of a new lift which will access all floors and installation of new fully accessible toilets on the ground floor.

• New openings in existing stone walls to Courthouse and Bridewell within central courtyard to facilitate access between new infill / extension and existing buildings and to the north and south elevations of the Bridewell at ground level.

• Accessible public realm comprised of hard landscaping to the east up to junction with existing boundary wall fronting Jail Street. Asphalt surfacing to vehicular areas, permeable natural stone paving to the public areas, with installation of Nature Based Sustainable Urban Drainage Management system.

• Installation of feature lighting to former Courthouse and Bridewell buildings.

• Provision of six car parking spaces plus two accessible car parking spaces to service the community hub in close proximity to the building entrance, provision of EV charging point and short stay bicycle parking.

• Landscaping of former exercise yards to rear (west) of former Bridewell, to include the formation of a new opening in the dividing wall between the north and south yards.