Controversial Tipperary McDonald’s outlet granted permission on appeal
Planning permission for a controversial new McDonald’s outlet in Tipperary has been granted by An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP).
McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland had applied for planning permission to construct an outlet in Thurles, which was granted by Tipperary County Council earlier this year.
Permission was granted for the development of a single-storey drive thru restaurant, including the ancillary sale of hot food for consumption off the premises, elevational signage, modifications to existing vehicular access off the Thurles Relief Road, car parking including accessible parking spaces, grill bays, and EV charging spaces.
Bicycle parking, a height restrictor, customer order points with associated canopies, totem signage, digital menu boards, and an ESB substation and kiosk, as well as landscaping including outdoor furniture/seating area with parasols also formed part of the planning application.
However, the application was appealed to the planning appeals board on a number of grounds, including that the outlet would lead to increased traffic in the area, that there was enough fast food outlets in the town already, and that the McDonald’s restaurant would lead to litter, anti-social behaviour and noise in the area.
The objector, Catherine Fogarty, also raised concerns about the suitability of the site for the outlet, and whether there would be a more suitable site elsewhere for the development to be located.
In their report, the ACP inspector said that despite concerns about the suitability of the location, the fact that it would be placed near Thurles Shopping Centre means the outlet would “provide a complementary role to the shopping centre and promote dual trip users”.
"The subject site is located off the N62 and Thurles Inner Relief Road, both of which have the capacity to accommodate the proposed development,” the inspector added.
An Coimisiún Pleanála have now granted permission for the development, subject to 18 conditions.
Among the conditions imposed are that the outlet can only operate between the hours of 6am to 10pm, that all service cables, such as electricity, internet and television be located underground, and that McDonald’s make a financial contribution to Tipperary County Council for infrastructure and facilities that the outlet will benefit from.