RESIDENTS EXPRESS FEARS OVER PLANS TO DEVELOP HILL ST SITE
SEVEN-SCREEN MULTIPLEX CINEMA, WAREHOUSE UNITS AND GARDEN CENTRE INCLUDED IN PLANS February 1998
RESIDENTS’ fears are taken on board in planning the detail of a £15 million development of a former derelict site off Hill Street.
Dunloe Properties are seeking permission for a seven-screen multiplex cinema, three retail warehouse units, outdoor garden centre, car-parking and landscaping, with access and egress from Dublin Road and Long Avenue.
McDonald’s Restaurants are also looking for permission for a free-standing drive-thru restaurant to consume food on and off the premises, car-parking and associated illuminated signage.
Representatives from both applicants address a meeting of Dundalk urban council.
Phil Reilly, Dunloe Properties, says an eight-acre site is acquired from Monarch Properties.
Previously, in the 1980s, there is planning permission for a Woodies-type DIY store, but it doesn’t proceed; and then there is permission for 60 houses, which doesn’t go ahead either.
Mr. Reilly continues they are in negotiation with a cinema operator for a seven-screen multiplex and a theatre; and is discussions with a national name for a 30,000sq ft. DIY store.
The third element is the stand-alone McDonald’s restaurant.
It is a difficult site to develop, with poor ground conditions, and will take substantial work.
Pat Lafferty, project architect, says the optimum entry point agreed is next to the filling station, going up along the Rampart River, with a new road on top of it.
The cinemas are to the rear of the site, 1,300 seats in total, as well as a 200-seater theatre, with a common foyer for both.
John Gibney, real estate surveyor with McDonald’s, states it is proposed the Dundalk restaurant with be company-run, not franchised.
It will employ 70 people, part- and full-time, contributing £10,000 per-annum to the council in rates.
They are not interested in the latenight, after-disco business.
There would be a significant amount of landscaping provided, and half-hourly litter patrols.
Mr. Gibney continues they have been in discussions with the urban council, and take on board their recommendations, by moving the restaurant considerably from the houses in Hill Street, m ore towards the filling station.
The restaurant, a new-type building not yet seen in Ireland, is for 95 seats, and they are also applying for an ancillary takeaway.
Mr. Reilly points out that Dunloe meets with residents in Byrne’s pub, and there are a number of issues raised.
They then liaise with the council, and address most of them.
Dunloe is committed to a good scheme, of added value to the town.
Fears of residents in Gosling’s Terrace, that traffic will try to exit there, if they see a blockage of traffic going out onto the Long Avenue, are raised.
Mr. Lafferty replies they are trying to solve that problem, and adds traffic wouldn’t be leaving the cinemas at peak times.
Subject to planning, which requires a material contravention of the Development Plan, it is hoped to have the McDonald’s in place by Christmas, while it will take a year to have the cinema built.