Appeal lodged against Letterkenny pub expansion plans

The decision to grant planning permission for a new pub and extension at a concession premises in Letterkenny has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala (ABP).

In April this year, Donegal County Council granted permission to the owners of the popular Central Bar on Upper Street to expand the pub into a disused commercial site next door.

The applicants, Michael and Mark Blaney, sought to undertake a series of extensive remodelling works.

The proposed works include a new extension to the rear of the adjacent commercial premises and a new extension to the side of the existing central bar and lounge to form a new bar, lounge, kitchen and accessible toilet facilities.

The development will also involve converting existing office space into a liquor store and building a new outdoor smoking area.

However, planning consultant Gerard Convie lodged an appeal against the council’s decision with ABP last week.

Based on planning documents, he said the Blayney proposals might achieve some of the objectives of the Letterkenny town plan. But he argued their plans “failed in some respects to achieve ‘some of the other objectives’ of the town plan”.

While the plans involve renovation and expansion, he claimed the “real intention” was to transform the central building into a nightclub.

Mr Conway said the best way to tackle blight in town centres was to bring in more residential development.

He asked: “Is this the best use of this vacant property on the main thoroughfare of our county’s main town, to use it as another licensed business premises?”

He added that there were already eight licensed premises on Letterkenny’s main road, but no external signage was mentioned in the new application.

Mr Conway was referring to “poorly designed” neon signs that have resulted in a “monstrosity” resembling a bar at the lower end of the main street.

He also raised objections from a number of technical perspectives, including wastewater treatment and transportation.

Appeal lodged against Letterkenny pub expansion plans Last modified: August 9, 2024 go through Staff Writer

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