From bank to homes, as planning granted for Moville AIB conversion

Planning permission has been granted to convert the former Allied Irish Bank (AIB) building on Main Street in Moville into residential apartments.

Applicants Gerard and Sarah Lafferty had sought permission to transform the bank premises, which have remained vacant since its closure in 2013, into three apartments.

As part of the proposal, the Laffertys were also granted permission to demolish the existing outbuildings on the property. The permission includes an extension to the existing building, along with connections to existing public services and all associated site works.

The proposal marks the second major redevelopment plan for a former bank building in Moville in recent months. Planning permission was granted last summer to convert the former Bank of Ireland premises, also located on the Main Street, into a restaurant and an apartment.

The closure of AIB nearly 13 years ago marked the beginning of the gradual withdrawal of banking services from the town. Ulster Bank closed its Moville branch in 2015, while Bank of Ireland exited the town six years later, despite appeals at the time from members of the public and local representatives to keep the service open. Inishowen Credit Union now remains the only financial institution operating in Moville.

Donegal County Council granted planning permission for the development, subject to six conditions. Among these are that the apartments must be used as permanent homes and cannot be used as holiday homes or for short-term letting unless separate planning permission is obtained.

Additional conditions relate to water and drainage requirements. No surface water from the site may discharge onto public roads, and measures must be taken to ensure that water from public roads does not enter the site. Surface water is also prohibited from discharging into the public foul sewer network.

READ NEXT: Application lodged to extend opening hours at Cockhill Pre-School

The council further stipulated that the potable water supply for the development must come from the public water mains, while wastewater generated by the apartments must discharge to the public sewer system in accordance with the details submitted as part of the planning application.