Core Planning Reasoning
The Inspector recommended to grant permission, concluding that the proposed retail use (online sales/appointment-only) is appropriate for the Central Business Area zoning, promotes the reuse of a vacant building, and will not significantly impact traffic safety or the future redevelopment of the surrounding opportunity site.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposal involves the reuse of a vacant town-center building for a retail purpose that aligns with the 'Central Business Area' zoning and the 'Opportunity Site' designation under the Gorey LAP.
- The specific business model (online sales and appointment-only collection) constitutes a 'shop' under planning definitions and is expected to generate traffic and parking demand similar to or less than the building's previous use as a sports hall.
- The development is located at the edge of a wider redevelopment site and, as an existing structure, its reuse does not prejudice the future comprehensive development of that site for residential or other uses.
Cited Policies (CDP)
Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028Table 3-2 Settlement HierarchyObjective CS06Objective CS10Objective CS14Objective GT01Objective GT02Objective ED01Objective ED45Objective ED50Objective E53Objective ED61Section 6 Transport and MobilityTable 6-7 Car Parking StandardsCounty Wexford Retail Strategy 2021-2027Table 5.21Gorey Town and Environs LAP 2017-2023Objective TC05Objective DS01Objective RS01Section 11: Land Use Zoning Matrix
Decision Document Summary
This report concerns a third-party appeal against Wexford County Council's decision to grant permission for the change of use of a former badminton hall (222.8 sqm) to a retail outlet for ladies' fashions. The business model focuses on online sales, with physical visits and collections restricted to scheduled appointments and pedestrian access only. The site is located on backlands accessed via a narrow laneway off Esmonde Street in Gorey. The appellant, who owns the access lane and surrounding ...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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