Board puts back date for arcade ruling

THE long-running saga over the planned development of an amusement arcade in Fermoy is set to drag on for another few weeks after it emerged that An Bord Pleanála has postponed making its definitive ruling on the proposal.

A total of 35 submissions had been lodged with Cork County Council against the plan by Fun Factory Ltd, part of the Perks Group, to develop the arcade in an empty retail unit at the junction of the Duntahane and Cork Road’s.

Chief among the concerns of local people was that the facility would have been located within walking distance of a number of secondary and national schools.

Last November council planners shot down the proposal, saying the plan did not provide for adequate off-road parking to serve the development and that its location, next to a busy junction, would generate extra pedestrian traffic and endanger public safety.

At the time Phillip Tivy of Perk’s said it was “unlikely” they would appeal the decision.

“We have plans for several facilities in other towns and we feel that we would be better served following these up. To be honest, we do not need the hassle. Unless something radically changes, it is now looking like we will walk away from Fermoy altogether,” he said.

However, the company subsequently decided to refer the issue to the appeals board, which was due to have made its ruling this month.

An Bord Pleanála has now written to the interested parties saying that they require additional time to review the case and a decision will now not be made before Tuesday July 3.