2560507

for Development at the Existing IMC Cinema Complex. The development will consist of the following: 1. Construction and provision of a part two-storey and part single-storey fast food restaurant with ‘drive thru’ facility. 2. Illuminated external restaurant signage. 3. Erection of an entrance height restrictor with signage. 4. 1 no. illuminated free standing menu display sign. 5. 2 no. ordering kiosks. 6. Driveway with access point off the existing private car park. 7. 2 no. parking bays. 8. Outdoor seating area. 9. Construction and provision a single storey retail unit. 10. Illuminated external retail unit signage. 11. Alterations to the existing carpark layout and all associated site works

Refused

Core Refusal Reason

The proposal is considered an inappropriate, car-focused development that fails to provide an active street frontage, creates a significant development gap on a key edge-of-city-centre site, and lacks sufficient architectural merit and technical justification regarding traffic and parking impacts.

Decision Maker's Conclusion

  • The proposed drive-thru facility is deemed excessively car-focused and land-hungry, creating an unacceptable development gap along Castlecomer Road that fails to optimize this strategic edge-of-city-centre location.
  • The architectural design results in a blank facade that fails to address the streetscape or provide an active frontage, lacking the significant merit required to complement the existing cinema and neighboring historic terrace.
  • The application lacks critical technical documentation, including a Traffic and Transport Assessment (TTA), a comprehensive parking assessment, and a DMURS Quality Audit, preventing a full evaluation of the development's impact on the local road network and pedestrian safety.

Cited Policies (CDP)

Kilkenny City and County Development Plan 2021-2027Objective C2EZoning Objective Z10Section 2.4.3 Former Mart siteSection 3.5.4 Vol 2 Retail Policy contextPolicy 4: City/Town centre firstPolicy 5: Retail Impact AssessmentPolicy 6: Kilkenny City CentreNoise Action Plan 2024-2028

Decision Document Summary

City Cinemas Limited sought permission for a fast-food restaurant with a drive-thru and a retail unit at the IMC Cinema complex, situated at the corner of Old Mart Road and Castlecomer Road. The site is a key edge-of-city-centre location on the former Cattle Mart lands, zoned 'General Business' and subject to Masterplan Objective C2E. The Planning Authority raised fundamental objections to the car-centric nature of the drive-thru, which creates a 'development gap' and fails to provide an active ...
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