Resident appeals approved Tipperary arcade centre saying it would be ‘undesirable use’ of former pub
Controversial plans for a gaming centre in a busy Tipperary town that were approved by the local authority have been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála by local residents.
Coalquay Leisure Ltd applied for planning permission to change the use of the former Gerry Chawke’s pub on William Street in Clonmel into a gaming centre.
Gerry Chawke’s has been vacant since 2019 after proprietor Gerry Chawke and his wife Anne retired after more than 50 years behind the bar.
The Cork-based company is seeking planning permission to turn the premises into an arcade centre. The company is also seeking retention planning permission for the use of the yard at the rear of the property for storage.
According to planning files submitted with the application, the gaming centre will open from 9am to 1am daily.
Tipperary County Council granted planning permission for the development earlier this month, subject to five conditions.
Among the conditions are that the centre can only open from 9am to 11pm daily, and that machines for the arcade can be installed on the ground floor only, and not the building’s upper floor.
Now, local man Christopher Pyke has submitted an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála, saying that the arcade centre should not be allowed to go ahead.
An agent acting on behalf of Mr Pyke said that despite the condition imposed by the council restricting the arcade centre to the ground floor, it would be “nigh-on impossible” to ensure that the developer doesn’t expand to the first floor.
“We do not consider that the proposed change of use from a public house to an amusement centre represents the proper planning and sustainable development of this area,” they said.
“At no stage and at no time does the Tipperary County Development Plan seek to actively promote gambling outlets, and indeed, this document places great weight on the need for retail and retail-related activities which support the regional, as well as the local, role of Clonmel.
“Given the potential for addiction to gambling, an amusement centre is somewhat at odds with the statutory planning objectives and goals which Tipperary County Council has adopted,” the agent added.
The arcade would also represent an “undesirable use” of a town centre building, the agent said, and could be “detrimental” to the business and commercial environment of the town.
An Coimisiún Pleanála is due to make a decision on the plans by February 4, 2027.