Permission granted to develop apartments and housing on convent site in Kilkenny

Planning permission has been granted, subject to conditions, to develop apartments and housing on the site of the Saint John of God Convent at College Road, Kilkenny City.

The applicant, Sophia Housing Association CLG, submitted plans back in December of last year for significant development works on the site.

Change of use permission was sought by the applicant to carry out works to redevelop three floors of the existing convent into fourteen apartments.

Permission was also sought in the application to develop new semi-detached and terraced dwellings on the site.

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Eight new semi-detached and terraced dwellings were sought in the application, comprising seven two-bed four-person two-story dwellings and one one-bed two-person single-storey dwelling.

As part of the consultation process with the applicant, Kilkenny County Council raised eight issues that they sought further clarity on.

One of these issues related to concerns that had been raised about the impact of the proposed two-storey end house(s) nearest Upper New Street on the rear of St. Patrick's Church when viewed from further up Upper New Street. 

The local authority stated that it was with the protection of this view in mind that the neighbouring John of God School was designed as constructed. 

They asked the applicant to consider options for better protecting the existing view and to submit same for consideration.

The local authority also stated that St John of God School raised concerns about the potential for overlooking. 

Again, they asked the applicant to consider the submission and address the concerns accordingly.

It was also noted that St Patrick’s Church raised their own concerns that the accommodation contiguous to the Sanctuary of the Church.

It was raised that the dividing wall with apartment 14, even if modified, would not provide adequate protection from increased levels of noise during religious services and celebrations.

Again, the local authority asked the applicant to submit proposals to address this concern.

Sophia Housing Association CLG subsequently submitted further information to the local authority on the issues that the local authority raised on May 22, 2024.

After reviewing this further information, Kilkenny County Council decided to approve planning permission to the amended plans, subject to 14 conditions, on June 14, 2024.