1. Feasibility studies and site development:
site assessment, design and advocacy
We design and facilitate development projects. We carry out studies of potential, provide site briefs, assemble design teams and assist in consultations and negotiations with local planning authorities.
Example: Residential scheme in Ennis, County Clare
The project: 19-unit residential scheme (7 houses and 12 apartments)
The client: private householder
Objective: To maximise the market value of a 1 acre (4000 m2) suburban site
Role of Brendan McGrath
Brendan carried out an assessment of development potential and drew up a design brief for the site. He assembled a team of designers and steered the project through the planning process.
Associates working on the project
Cyril O’Reilly, designer
Fergal Couglan, civil engineer
Townland Surveys
Ennis site before development
Ennis site after development
Ennis site layout
South elevation drawing
2. Map Boards:
researching, designing and installing map boards
We help communities celebrate the heritage of their localities by designing and installing imaginative, eyecatching map boards. Board content is based on thorough research and consultation with the local community. Information provided includes townland and nature conservation information that is not otherwise very accessible.
Example: Corofin, County Clare
The project: map board in the main street, constructed of durable materials, wall mounted (1.43 x 0.96m) with A2-size version of the map on sale in the local shop.
Client: Corofin Development Company
Objective: to inform local people about their heritage and to provide information in an attractive format for visitors, encouraging them to stay longer in the area
Detail from Corofin map
3. Countryside planningWe have wide experience of countryside development including planning for recreation and tourism, the design of walking routes, management plans for historic demesnes and the development of retirement villagesExample: Plan for Woodstock in County KilkennyThe project: Woodstock Local Area PlanClient: Kilkenny County Council
Objective: to provide both a statutory planning framework and environmental management guidance for an historic demesne in the Nore Valley
Role of Brendan McGrath
Brendan McGrath and Associates was the lead consultant in this multi-disciplinary project. Brendan managed a team to:-
carry out an environmental baseline study of an historic demesne,
review development options for the historic Woodstock House and
produce management guidelines for the demesne landscape.
Brendan managed a local area plan process that included an extensive public consultation phase (working with Tim O’Brien) and drafted a local area plan for adoption by Kilkenny County Council as The Woodstock Local Area Plan
Associates
Paul Arnold Associates; conservation architects
Spatial Planning Solutions; GIS specialists
Mary Tubridy; ecologist
Craig Bullock; environmental economist
EDPM, engineering consultancy
John Olley; historic landscape expert
Consultation event
Noble Fir Avenue
Riverside at Inistioge
School Participation
Woodstock LAP
Woodstock Plan extract
4. Detailed plans and master plans
for villages, towns and suburbs
We prepare statutory and non-statutory plans on behalf of local authorities, land owners and communities, drawing on an extensive experience of public consultation and deployment of a range of analytical tools. We produce clear attractive documents.
Example: Askeaton Local Area Plan, Askeaton, Co. Limerick
Client: Limerick County Council
Objective: to prepare a statutory local area plan for an historic settlement in west County Limerick
Role of Brendan McGrath
Brendan McGrath and Associates were the lead consultant. Brendan was in charge of the plan team, drafted the written statement and was responsible for the public events and liaison with the local planning authority
The rest of the project team
Spatial Planning Solutions, planners and GIS experts
Hassett Leyden, architects
Rob Goodbody, historic buildings consultant
(Provide link to Askeaton Local Area Plan on Limerick County Council website)
Askaeton
Consultation event
Development framework
Draft urban design proposal
Spider diagram of environmental sustainability
Town centre conservation policy
Askeaton zoning map extract
5. Planning Advocacy
Some of our advocacy work can be reviewed on the website of An Bord Pleanála. The website provides access to a record of all decided appeal cases in recent years. Each appeal is identified by a unique six figure reference number. A sample list of appeals in which this practice has represented first parties (developers) and third parties is set out below. Our aim is to make submissions that are concise, comprehensive and compelling.
First party appeals and responses to appeals
Nursing home in Cashel, Co. Tipparry PL 45.236343
Wind farm at Baranafaddock, Co. Waterford PL 24.213290
Residential scheme at O’Callaghan’s Mills, Co. Clare PL 03.218664
Wind farm at Killin Hill, Co Donegal PL 05.226845
Tourism complex and modernised fish factory at New Quay, Co. Clare PL 03.213352
Visitor centre at the Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare PL 03.128695
Wind farm at Tullaroan, Co Kilkenny PL 10.201832
Dwelling in Galway City PL 61.223181
Third party appeals and observations
Wind farm in Slieve Aughty Mountains in East Clare PL 03.235373
Shopping centre in Ennis for residents’ association PL 58.216637
Dwelling at Feakle, County Clare for individual resident PL 03-228058
Warehouse development in Ennis for owner-manager of business park PL58.229326
Apartment scheme in Limerick City for residents’ group PL30.219670
Shopping centre in Annacotty, Limerick for consortium of residents’ associations
PL 13.219350
6. Environmental assessment
The practice coordinates the preparation of environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and strategic environmental assessments (SEAs), contributes to EIAs, and carries out landscape character assessments and heritage appraisals.
Example: SEA of the Buncrana and Environment Development Plan
Client: Donegal County Council
Objective: To help Donegal County Council and Buncrana Town Council to carry out a strategic environmental assessment of the draft development plan (the work to include a landscape character assessment and a detailed habitat survey)
Role of Brendan McGrath
Brendan was team leader, drafted the SEA report and carried out the landscape character assessment
Associates
Spatial Planning Solutions, planners and GIS specialists
Michael Gill, environmental engineer
Catherine Storey, ecologist
Craig Bullock, environmental economist
Habitat survey
landscape character assessment
settlement structure analysis
settlement structure assessment