Athy Lodge to get major revamp

A FIRM has been given permission to convert the protected ‘Athy Lodge’ on Church Road in Athy into nine apartments seven mews houses and four small houses for assisted living in a project worth around €4m. 

Baidera Properties from Arles is to convert the main building into four apartments, while the former doctor’s surgery there as well as out-buildings are to be converted into five more self-contained one-, and two-bed units. The plan is also to repair and upgrade the existing entrance onto Church Road, and to develop new entrance out onto the Carlow Road (R417).

The 0.56Ha (1.4ac) site is the location of significant mature trees, although with evidence of overgrowth throughout. The Lodge is itself a protected structure, as is its neighbouring buildings of St Michael’s Church, Prospect House and the old Athy Gaol. The site contains three distinct disused structures including a house with a defined courtyard, and dating approximately from the early 1840s.

Further information was requested from the developer, however neither the Heritage Officer, the Heritage Council nor An Taisce raised an objection.