‘Disappointment’ at Bord Pleanála arcade decision

LOCALS REMAIN OPPOSED TO FERMOY ARCADE PLAN

BORD Pleanála’s decision to give Perks the green light for an amusement arcade in Fermoy has been met with “bitter disappointment” by concerned locals.

It has emerged that the planning appeals board has upheld the decision by County Council planners to give the arcade at the Blackwater Shopping Centre the go-ahead in the face of strong opposition to the proposal from local residents.

Despite the lodging of four separate submissions on the proposed arcade, council planners gave it their approval last August.

This decision was subsequently referred to the planning appeals board after a further objection was lodged against the development in the name of local county councillor Noel McCarthy.

At the time Cllr McCarthy told The Corkman he believed it was “the right thing to do.”

“Local residents strongly feel the development will bring an unacceptable level of anti-social behaviour to the area. Many people have lived there for decades and feel this is the wrong thing to have on the doorsteps,” said Cllr McCarthy.

“They are not against developments in the centre, but feel that a gaming and gambling premises is not the right thing for there. There is a local school just 800 metres from the centre and they feel this would send out the wrong message to young people and I fully support them in that,” he added.

However, the appeals board has now ruled in favour of the arcade, saying they did not consider it would “seriously injure the amenities of the area”, would be “acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience” and was in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development.

In granting permission the board stipulated nine separate conditions, including that the arcade opening hours be limited to between 10am and 8pm daily. Other conditions also dealt with noise levels, car parking and waste management.

Speaking to The Corkman Cllr McCarthy said local residents would meet this week to discuss the latest development.

“The feeling locally is one of bitter disappointment. We felt it was a poor decision by the council to grant permission in the first place and that we had made a strong submission to An Bord Pleanala to have that decision overturned,” said Cllr McCarthy.

He said locals would now look at other avenues that may be open to them.

“One of these may be to approach the landlord of the shopping centre with a view to requesting they do not lease the premises to Perks,” said Cllr McCarthy.