Protest in Cork town over gaming arcade plans – ‘it’s not regeneration, it’s degeneration’
CorkmanHundreds have taken to the streets in Bandon to oppose Cork County Council’s decision to grant permission for a gaming and amusement arcade in the town despite over 60 local objections.
Last month the local authority granted Leeside Leisure Centre Limited permission to convert the ground floor of a former public house on Oliver Plunkett Street into a gaming and amusement arcade.
The company says the arcade will boost the local economy and employment and bring a vacant building back into use. However, many in the town oppose the development, believing it is not the appropriate kind of development for Bandon and will promote gambling addiction.
Tuesday evening’s protest in wet weather saw hundreds of people with placards walk to the council offices in the town.
“Residents from Bandon in their hundreds came out to protest and reaffirm that this grant of planning is not regeneration, it’s degeneration and we won’t accept it,” said local Councillor Ann Bambury.
“As both a parent and a public representative, I cannot support a development that places a gambling business on a school route, close to the Family Resource Centre, and within an area where there is already a concentration of gambling outlets.
“This is not the kind of development that benefits families, children, or the wider community. It is a dead front that offers nothing to our local retail or food businesses and contributes nothing positive to the regeneration of our heritage town.”
The Social Democrat told the Irish Independent that the Bandon Connects voluntary community group has hired a planning consultant and a social impact study will be carried out to support an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
In February Cork City Council refused an application by the same company to turn a hair salon in Blackpool into a gaming and amusement arcade on the grounds that the proposed use didn’t conform to the area’s zoning objectives.
Last year the city council also refused permission for a similar arcade at a retail park in Ballincollig, saying the “adult orientated nature” of the business near family-friendly retail outlets would be inappropriate and would pose “high potential for nuisance.”
Adrian Lenihan, one of the organisers of Tuesday’s protest march, runs a support group for recovering gambling addicts and has warned of the dangers posed by gaming arcades.
The Irish Independent contacted the company behind the plans for comment and is awaiting a response.