Core Refusal Reason
The proposed change of use from retail to a betting office within the designated Core Retail Area of Drogheda is contrary to development plan policies that seek to protect the vitality and viability of the retail core by discouraging non-retail uses at ground floor level where strong retail provision exists and vacancy levels are not sustained.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposal is contrary to Policy Objectives EE 68 and EE 69 of the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027, which aim to promote the core retail area as the primary shopping area and discourage the conversion of ground-floor retail units to non-retail or non-service uses.
- The Planning Authority determined that there is a strong retail provision in the immediate vicinity and no evidence of sustained vacancy, meaning the development fails to meet the criteria for support under Policy Objective EE 67.
- Granting permission would set an undesirable precedent for further non-retail development, which would undermine the long-term vitality and viability of Drogheda's defined Core Retail Area.
Cited Policies (CDP)
BHC 20BHC 23BHC 24BHC 25BHC 31EE 33EE 64EE 65EE 66EE 67EE 68EE 69EE 76EE 78EE 79Section 13.14.6Section 5.23.1Section 13.21.8
Decision Document Summary
This application sought permission for the change of use of a 262.75 sq.m ground-floor retail unit to a betting office, including new signage, at 87 West Street, Drogheda. The site is a designated Protected Structure (DB288) located within the West Street Architectural Conservation Area and the town's primary Core Retail Area. Louth County Council refused the application because the proposed non-retail use conflicts with specific Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 policies designed to prote...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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