Core Refusal Reason
The Inspector recommended to grant permission, overturning the Planning Authority's refusal, on the basis that the development would not result in an overconcentration of amusement uses, is located outside the core retail area, and facilitates the reuse of a vacant building to support town centre vibrancy.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed change of use is appropriate for this location as it is outside the designated Core Retail Area and the closest similar use is approximately 400 metres away, avoiding proliferation issues.
- The development supports the regeneration of the town centre by re-introducing an active commercial use into a long-term vacant and dilapidated building.
- There will be no detrimental impact on the Architectural Conservation Area as no physical works to the existing shopfront are proposed, and future signage can be controlled by condition.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Section 5.10.7Section 5.10.4Section 5.10.3Objective ACA 01Section 6.7.2Retail Planning Objective WX02Retail Planning Objective WX05Retail Planning Objective WX07Retail Planning Objective WXC13Section 13.4.9
Decision Document Summary
This Inspector's Report evaluates a first-party appeal by Coalquay Leisure Ltd. against Wexford County Council's refusal of permission for a change of use from a retail unit to an amusement and entertainment centre at 98 North Main Street, Wexford. The subject site is a vacant ground-floor unit in a three-storey building within an Architectural Conservation Area (ACA). The Planning Authority's refusal was based on the potential proliferation of amusement uses and negative impacts on the characte...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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