Plans lodged to expand Tipperary motorway service station with new parking and dog-walking trail
Plans have been lodged to expand a major Tipperary motorway service station with new HGV and coach parking, three additional fuel-pumping islands and a dog-walking trail.
Applegreen Service Areas Ltd has applied to Tipperary County Council to carry out work at their station in Birdhill, just off the M7 motorway at Junction 7.
Under the plans, Applegreen plan to expand the service station to accommodate a coach and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) parking area, as well as adding three new pumping islands where vehicles can fill up.
They also plan on adding a dog walking trail, and expanding their parking area so there is more spaces for both staff and customers to park their cars.
Planning documents submitted in support of the application say that the walking trail will “enable motorists to undertake some exercise including with their dogs if required.”
According to an agent acting on behalf of Applegreen, the existing bus and HGV parking area will be repurposed as general car parking, providing 100 spaces.
The bus and HGV parking will be relocated to the north side of the service station, planning files show.
The agent added that the planned new developments will have no impact on the view of the service station from the motorway.
“There will be no view of the proposed development from the motorway itself which is located below the level of the proposed works and screened by existing mature planting,” the agent said.
“The proposed development will enhance the services available for visiting motorists and staff by providing improved car, HGV and coach parking facilities including new HGV EV charging facilities,” they added.
The developments would primarily cater to those passing on the motorway, the agent said, and will not encourage any trips from towns or villages in the surrounding area.
Tipperary County Council planners are due to decide on the plans by October 10.
The Applegreen service station on Birdhill opened its doors in 2014. The premises currently houses a number of food outlets including Burger King, Subway and the Bakewell, and also stocks M&S food.
Applegreen operates more than 600 forecourts across the country with a staff of more than 15,000.
The company first opened in 1992 with its first service station in Ballyfermot in Dublin under the stewardship of chairman Bob Etchingham and CEO Joe Barrett.