Bord Pleanala reject appeal against Supermac’s late licence
By Christy Parker
An Bord Pleanala has rejected an appeal by residents in South Main Street, Youghal against the Town Council’s decision to grant extended opening hours to a take-away and restaurant outlet.
Last March, the council granted Supermac’s, a ‘temporary, two-year licence’ to trade until 2 a.m. on regular Fridays and Saturdays and on Sundays preceding Bank Holiday Mondays. Normal trading hours of 10am-12.30 a.m. would persist Sunday-Thursdays.
The Bord altered the decision to cover a one-year term to November 3rd 2009, subject to further planning application being successfully in the interim. The ruling orders that a ‘litter management’ plan be implemented in the immediate vicinity of the premises.
Seventeen objections had been lodged to the application with, according to local resident Harry Morrison, “many more feeling equally aggrieved.” The objectors said they endured sleep-deprivation and a proliferation of extreme anti-social behaviour during a previous period when Supermac’s breached their licensing agreement and traded up to 3.30 am. The application for extended hours followed a warning from the council on that breach of licence. Town councillors unanimously supported the residents but the council Planning Authority ruled otherwise.
In its judgement, the Bord echoed the Council’s aim “to protect the interests of amenities in the area”, adjacent to the Clock Gate. The location already accommodates several pubs, two all-night taxi bases, a nearby nightclub and another take-away outlet which, having been established in 1959, preceded local authority legislation.
Mr. Morrison condemns the Bord’s decision as “looking after the pubs and nightclubs” at a cost to local families. He adds that it’s reasoning is “spurious” and says the litter management stipulation “just re-affirms the licence granted by the Town planners. Yet,” he adds, we expressed deep concern that improper, unsecured bins are liable to serve as missiles in the event of the social disorder to which we have already been subjected.”
The Bord’s decision comes amidst increased concern at the growing incidences of serious assaults and vandalism.
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