A former café in Oakfield Industrial Estate has been granted permission to operate as a takeaway
Green light for takeaway at former Clondalkin café
PERMISSION has been granted for the development of a takeaway restaurant on the site of a former café in Oakfield Industrial Estate in Clondalkin.
Unit 5, a 132.5 sqm unit, sits within a row of two-storey units, surrounded by industrial and commercial units, with the Riversdale residential development located to the east and The Mill Shopping Centre to the west of the site.
Prior to granting permission, SDCC’s Planning Department considered several aspects of the site, including parking and found that there is “ample car parking on site to serve the existing unit as a café and as such adding a takeaway element to this would not increase customer numbers.”
Planning permission was previously granted for the change of use of the unit, with an application submitted in 2015 requesting permission for the change of use from a training centre to a cáfe/deli.
As proposed in the application, the new takeaway will operate between the hours of 7:30 am and 11:30 pm.
During the period in which third party observations were accepted, one submission was received, with the individual noting that they “do not feel as though the proposed use is appropriate at this site.”
The subject site is located within zoning objective ‘TC’: “To protect, improve and provide for the future development of Town Centres”, under the South Dublin County Development Plan 2022/2028.
SDCC regarded the provisions of the SDCC Development Plan and decided that the proposed development complies with the Scheme and is consistent with the CDP 2022-2028.
It was agreed that the site “would not seriously injure just the amenities of the area or of the properties in the vicinity and would, therefore, be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
“There are potentially grounds to seek additional information from the applicant to clarify the proposed use; however, in this instance CDP policy is wholly in favour of the existing ‘café’ use in a ‘TC’ zoned area, whereas more detailed assessment is required of the proposed ‘takeaway’ use (and is the subject of the following sections).”
As part of the agreement, the takeaway owner must comply with SDCC’s ruling against the erection of advertising sign(s) or structure(s), including any signs installed that would be visible through windows, banners, canopies or flags, except those which are exempted development, without the prior approval of the Planning Authority or An Bord Pleanála on appeal.
The Planning Department clarified its reasoning for this being “in the interest of visual amenity, compliance with development plan policies and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
In conclusion, the proposal will be equally consistent or non-consistent with CDP policy whether or not the extant café use is continued or discontinued.
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