New planning application for Old Bawn Centre car-wash

A NEW planning application for retention permission for a car wash in the Old Bawn Shopping Centre has been submitted to South Dublin County Council.

This follows on from the business being refused retention permission by the council last summer, as it stated that the facility would “endanger public safety” if permission was granted.

In the application for retention permission that was submitted by Kevin and Veronica Hegarty last September, permission was sought for the retention of a car-wash facility, including a single storey Portacabin office (10 sq m) with a covered car-wash area (22 sq m).

Permission for the car-wash facility was previously granted back in 2010 for a period of six years, and again in February 2019 for three years.

The Hegartys stated in their planning application earlier this year that the car wash site “is not highly visible” and is accessed through a wide gate, and there is no queuing at the car-wash entrance “thus having no impact on car-park circulation”.

On June 15, South Dublin County Council refused retention permission for the car wash on the grounds that it would cause a traffic hazard, thus endangering public safety.

“Based on the available information submitted, the proposed development for retention would endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard due to the applicant not adequately demonstrating that safe vehicular movements can be carried out,” stated the local authority.

“As such, the proposed development is contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

However, on October 20, Kevin Hegarty submitted a new application seeking retention permission for the car wash.

A decision on the current application for retention permission is due from South Dublin County Council by December 14.