Monasterevin Textile Hub goes to planning

IT was reported here just five weeks ago that the former Bank of Ireland in Monasterevin was going to be developed as a fashion and textiles design hub by Kildare County Council (KCC).

However, its timelime has come into greater focus this week with the publication of a Part 8 Notice – the statutory device where a local authority applies to itself for planning permission.

At this stage KCC has indicated a number of main changes to the old bank, starting with a reconfiguration of both ground and fist floors for workshops, training rooms, retail and design.

They will also re-locate the existing staircase, and install a platform lift, relocate the main entrance into Market Square, as well as installing a display window onto the Square as well.

The plan has already been through an Environmental Impact Assessment where the planners have concluded that the development has “no real likelihood of significant effects on the environment”, but allows for anyone who thinks it still might to make a submission to them by 26 November.

Details of the Part 8 application will also be available for public perusal at KCC headquarters in Naas up until this date as well.

Overall submissions on the proposed development may be made over a further fortnight, expiring on 10 December.

The bank closed its doors in October 2021 alongside branches in both Kilcullen and Celbridge, and 100 other locations nationwide.

Just a year later it was proposed that the former branch would be converted into a remote working hub, but following the success of the Food and Drinks Hub in Athy and the MERITS Building in Naas, the idea for a Textiles Hub for Monasterevin was progressed by the Council’s Enterprise Section.

“Capital funding for the proposed development of the former Bank of Ireland building has been secured,” confirmed Jacqui McNabb, head of enterprise, economic development and tourism at the September meeting of the Kildare Newbridge Municipal District to a question from cllr Kevin Duffy.

“The Bank of Ireland was bought by the council maybe 18 months ago through a scheme from Heather Humphries’ office that we were working on, to allow local authorities buy vacant former public buildings,” said cllr Duffy, a quantity surveyor in his day job.

“Traditionally there has been textile industries in Monasterevin, and there are still a number of knitwear businesses in town that have been looking at skill shortages for machinists and designers, and Jacqui has led the charge on this. It’s a wonderful, innovative Part 8 design, and it will really inspire this corner,” he said.