:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/MLTQKVJ4QZGVVFLZAMZWCFDHVM.jpg)
An Bord Pleanála has given the green light for a multimillion-euro upgrade of one of Ireland’s newest universities.
The state’s planning appeals body has given the go-ahead for a 283-bed student campus along with 127 residential houses and apartments to be constructed on grounds close to Athlone’s new Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).
The third-level institute was, together with Limerick IT, last October merged to form Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, the State’s third technological university to be formally established.
SHD proposal
The plans were lodged last August by former Athlone Institute of Technology student and Longford developer Mark Cunningham. The chartered engineer applied under the Strategic Housing Development (SHD) provision to build at Lissywollen, Athlone, Co Westmeath.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/VN5VSLNJN5GP5GTTOM55ARR3PY.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/MIQD4VB47NA7TBBZOC3KKVNRNY.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/N6FYBMUOO5DVPDKL7BI4UOK7M4.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/QGNRKYDPV5GIRDR2DLAARZVLQA.jpg)
The development site, otherwise known as the Green Quarter, fronts on to the Old Rail Trail Cycleway where connectivity to the new technological university and Athlone Town centre for students and residents is proposed.
SHD legislation was introduced in 2016. It allowed developers to apply directly to An Bord Pleanála for housing developments of at least 100 units or student accommodation developments containing 200 beds or more.