Plans to transform county Kilkenny shoe shop into new homes given the boot

Plans to transform a well-known shoe shop in a county Kilkenny town into new family homes have been denied.

SFT Moore Developments Limited’s application to convert the site formerly known as Cook’s Shoe Shop on Urlingford’s Main Street into housing was refused by An Bord Pleanála following an appeal.

SMT Moore made an application seeking the retention of planning on an extension to the rear of the shop, which would undergo a change of use from commercial use to residential use.

Kilkenny County Council decided against granting planning permission in January and, following an appeal by the developers, An Bord Pleanála has decided to uphold the local authority’s decision.

In making their decision, An Bord Pleanála said: “The proposed development would seriously injure the residential amenity of the adjoining property by reason of its overbearing impact.”

The developers had hoped to build two, three-bedroom family homes on the site of the former shoe shop.