Core Refusal Reason
The proposed change of use from retail to office at ground floor level is contrary to Louth County Development Plan policies that protect the vitality and viability of the Dundalk Core Shopping Area by discouraging non-retail uses where strong retail provision exists and sustained vacancy is not evident.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The subject site is located within the Dundalk Core Shopping Area where policies EE 66, EE 67, and EE 68 seek to promote the core retail area as the primary shopping area and discourage non-retail developments at ground floor level.
- There is no evidence of sustained levels of vacancy in the vicinity of the site on Clanbrassil Street, which currently provides for a strong retail provision.
- Permitting the change of use would set an undesirable precedent for further non-retail development, undermining the vitality and viability of the core retail area and contradicting the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
Cited Policies (CDP)
EE 64EE 65EE 66EE 67EE 68EE 69EE 76Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027Louth Retail Strategy
Decision Document Summary
The proposal involved the change of use of a vacant ground floor retail unit to office use at 9 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth. Although the initial planning report recommended a grant of permission, a subsequent addendum report from senior planning officials determined that the application should be refused. The refusal is based on the site's location within the Dundalk Core Shopping Area, where the Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 prioritizes retail use to maintain town centre v...SOURCE PDFOpen Original
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