Mayo amusement centre will not be allowed to continue trading

An Bord Pleanála has overruled one of its inspectors and refused to allow an amusement centre in Castlebar to continue trading.

Mayo County Council had previously refused planning permission for the Duke Street business but that decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

Permission was granted for three years but the issue of the unit as an amusement arcade was required to cease unless, prior to the end of the period, permission for its retention was obtained.

The local authority had refused the arcade on the grounds that its continued use would impact on the vitality, viability, and environment of the town centre and would not be an appropriate town centre use. The local authority also believed it would be detrimental to residential amenities and the value of existing residential properties in the vicinity due to noise disturbance and general nuisance.

An inspector with An Bord Pleanála found that subject to conditions, the establishment would not materially contravene the Local Area Plan, would not be seriously injurious to the residential amenity or value of residential properties in the vicinity due to noise and general nuisance, would provide for an acceptable use on this site, and would be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

However, the Board agreed with Mayo County Council’s original decision and ruled that the arcade would be detrimental to other properties in the vicinity and to the overall area.

“The continued use of the development would impact on the vitality, viability, and environment of the town centre,” the Board stated in its judgement.

In deciding to reject its inspector's recommendation, An Bord Pleanála agreed that the unit did not materially contravene the Local Area Plan but the Board said it did not consider that evidence of exceptional circumstances was offered to justify the "not normally permitted" uses set out under certain zoning objectives contained in the plan.