Dealz gets green light for new store in Gala building

By Maurice Garvey

DUBLIN City Council has granted planning permission for a Dealz store at the Gala building on Ballyfermot Road.

Receivers Tom Kavanagh, applied for permission to change the use of the former bingo hall and cinema, into a Dealz retail store.

The applicants intended to erect signage to the rear of the building, and wanted to carry out deliveries to the rear of the site on Blackditch Road, rather than the much busier Ballyfermot Road.

However, in granting permission for the development, DCC’s planning authority has stated no servicing by heavy goods vehicles is allowed to take place from Blackditch Road, and that no additional advertising signs or elements shall be displayed on the building.

The council planning authority said the deliveries on Blackditch Road would require HGVs to mount the footpath “giving rise to conflict with pedestrians and potentially blocking the rear access to the development.”

Servicing by HGVs shall occur from Ballyfermot Road, according to DCC.

The Gala was operated by the Kearney family, and opened as a cinema in 1955.

Over the years it became a dance hall, a roller rink and operated as a bingo hall and leisure centre, before receivers were appointed in early 2014.

The applicants supplied a title lease for private property located between Blackditch Road and the Gala building, which is for a term of 500 years from 1954.

The lands comprise a larger plot – parts of which, were sold off by predecessors in title to the owner over the years.

A number of objections have been lodged by local business owners, citing concerns for the potential impact the proposed 120,000 sq m Dealz store could have on existing traders.

They also express dismay that nothing will be done to enhance or modernise the exterior of the building.

Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh made a submission, calling for asbestos sheets on the roof of the building to be removed.

Appeals must be received by An Bord Pleanála within four weeks of the October 26 date of permission granted by the council.