Rejuvenation plans for former Mayo convent
THE repurposing of Ballina Convent for community use has come before Mayo County Council by way of an application for planning permission.
The application has been submitted by Ballina Convent Regeneration CLG, the community group behind its rejuvenation.
The property - a protected structure - is situated at McDermott Street in the north Mayo capital.
The planning application details the works - community, plus some residential - being proposed:
1. Change of use of the convent ground floor to community facilities, 1,036 sq.m., and two-bedroom apartment, 103 sqm.
The proposed community facilities include continued use of the existing chapel for religious purposes, continued use of kitchen areas and dining/meeting room.
Other proposed community facilities will include counselling and therapy functions, meeting rooms, training rooms, music and art facilities, sanitary facilities and community courtyard.
The proposed apartment will be used by residents associated with the functioning of the community facilities.
The works will include new mechanical, electrical and drainage services throughout and photovoltaic panels at convent flat roof and some pitched roofs. The works will include various conservation related works to the historical internal and external fabric of the convent.
2. New single storey steel shed for carpentry workshops and storage.
3. Change of use to community facilities of St. Mary's unused school building, and external insulation and photovoltaic panels.
4. Change of use to community facilities of St. Anne's unused school building, and external insulation and photovoltaic panels.
5. Reinstatement of the existing gatehouse as a residential building, including refurbishment works and two-bedroomed extension, photovoltaic panels and new parking area and storage shed with new road access from the convent site access road. The gatehouse will be used by residents associated with the functioning of the community facilities.
6. New steel palisade fencing and cast-iron heritage type fencing at parts of site.
7. New car parking layouts to the main site.
A conservation report submitted to planners explained how the proposed works have been designed to have minimal interventions to the historical fabric, with all proposed works reversible. Most of the proposed internal alterations will be to the modern 1980s extension part, which will house kitchen and sanitary service areas.
The historical areas of dining room, kitchen and circulation areas are subject to change of use to community use but will retain their original uses.
The re-use of the convent building and site will help alleviate ongoing deterioration of the main structures.
The proposed development includes the provision of two small residential units, to be used as long-term private homes, intended for older people or individuals with low to moderate support needs.
There will be no institutional use, no medical or care facilities on site, and no change to the established residential character of the neighbourhood.
The renovation of the gatehouse and the re-occupation of part of the convent will significantly improve the appearance of the site, address long-standing dereliction, and contribute positively to the streetscape and wider community.
The full planning file is available on Mayo County Council's website.