Emer Gallagher
The planning authorisation of a newly-opened take-away in Ballina was called into question last week after a town councillor said the planning application granted was for a ‘coffee shop and laundrette’.
Cllr Mary Kelly questioned whether the newly-opened Charlie Brown’s restaurant and take-away outlet, situated in Bunree retail park, is complying with planning regulations.
“Planning permission for a coffee shop and laundrette was granted last year and now, months later, this restaurant and take-away has opened,” Cllr Kelly told The Mayo News yesterday (Monday).
“How did they get planning for this? It specifically states in the initial planning permission for the unit in Bunree that planning permission for a take-away would not be given.”
At the monthly meeting of Ballina Town Council last week, Cllr Kelly raised the issue with the Council. Town Engineer Michael O’Grady said he had not seen the development, despite protests by Cllr Kelly that it was a well-publicised outlet.
“I’m not doubting you. We’ll deal with it in the normal way we deal with any unauthorised development. I’m not going to suppose or pre-empt anything,” said Mr O’Grady.
Cllr Kelly told the Council members that the proprietor told her pre-planning discussions had taken place with the relevant officials of Ballina Town Council.
“It is stipulated in the planning permission that there are no take-aways to be allowed in the retail unit. I’m angry and aggrieved.
We should get the people of the area to come down with their bags of laundry to the fast food outlet,”said Cllr Kelly.
The Independent councillor said that as a local resident she had been ‘dropped in it left, right and centre’ by the Council.
“If it is a thing that the proprietor is given permission for a change of use or to retain use then it is my view that the residents will appeal it to An Bord Pleanála and ask them to review the conditions and see does it comply,” said Cllr Kelly.
Director of Services for the Ballina area, Paddy Mahon, said that any complaints about unauthorised premises are dealt with using the relevant procedures and it was too early to tell whether the outlet was operating as such.
“It is a long drawn-out process and, as of yet, we are in the very first stage of a series of stages involving the planning laws,” said Mr Mahon.
“Any complaint that is brought to our attention that the development is to be deemed non-compliant will be examined.”
