AN APPEAL has been lodged to An Bord Pleanála after Donegal County Council refused planning permission to develop an amusement arcade in Letterkenny.
Conor Carey’s application for a change of use of the former Sean Graham Bookmakers, at 29A Lower Main Street, into an amusement arcade were rejected by the Council.
Previously, Mr Carey successfully appealed a similar decision relating to 31-33 Lower Main Street, the ground floor of the adjoining premises. Then, he was turned down by the Council, but the decision was overturned by An Bord Pleanála in April of this year.
Mr Carey has now lodged a fresh appeal relating to the former bookmakers, which comprises some 89 square metres. His appeal documentation and fee were submitted by September 7th last.
In rejecting the plans, Donegal County Council point to the fact that the proposed development falls into the ‘Traditional Town Centre of Letterkenny’.
The Council say that such a development ‘would fail to create a high quality sustainable vibrant town environment and fail promote an attractive town centre atmosphere’.
The decision notes that there is a ‘considerable amount of residential development above it’.
The Council said: “It is considered that the proposed change of use would be incompatible with the residential development in the immediate vicinity of the application site, by virtue of the nature of the use itself (gambling/amusement arcade) together with the cumulative impact of other existing and permitted evening and night-time activity nuisances associate.”
The Council say that an amusement arcade in the area would be ‘prejudicial to the delivery of the emerging Letterkenny Local Area Plan and the emerging Letterkenny Masterplan under Project Ireland 2040’s Urban Regeneration Development Fund.’
Further, they argue that the granting of planning permission would set ‘an undesirable precedent’.
An Bord Pleanála say that the case is due to be decided by January 19, 2021.
Tags: