An application to build a Paddy Power betting office on the Castletown Road has been refused.
The giant betting agency, which already has units in Park Street and Bachelors Walk was looking to add a third premises right beside Fagans Pub.
The development, which was sent for planning permission in late November, was due to consist of a ch
ange of use from previously approved retail use to a 99sqm betting office.
Outside, four satellite dishes were to be fitted with two condenser units on the existing flat roof together with alterations to the south east and south west elevations consisting of new signage, removal of a set of double doors and replacing with new window and alterations to shop fronts.
The unit was within the retail development in front of Fagans Public House.
However, Paddy Power Plc was refused permission for the office by the town council, for two reasons.
The first reason stated that the development is located on zoned lands where the objective is to "protect and improve existing residential amenities and to provide for infill and new residential developments".
It continues to say that: "The site is also located within an identified neighbourhood centre and accompanied table identifies permissible uses within the same, a betting office is not included as an appropriate use."
The second reason for objecting the office again cites that a betting office in a neighbourhood is not suitable.
"The proposed change of use to provide a betting office in a neighbourhood centre within an area zoned residential 1 would represent the inclusion of an inappropriate use into a residential area. The proposal would detract from the residential amenity of the area and would establish an undesirable precedent for similar type uses in neighbourhood centres."
gary@dundalkdemocrat.ie
