Off-licence plans for petrol station is refused following objections from concerned residents
By Aideen O'Flaherty
CONTENTIOUS plans for the development of an off-licence in the Circle K petrol station in Kilnamanagh have been refused permission by South Dublin County Council.
In reaching their decision, the local authority said the off-licence would “contribute to an overconcentration of off-licences" in the locality.
The local authority said the planned off-licence at the petrol station in Kilnamanagh would provide ‘opportunity for anti-social behaviour’
As previously reported in The Echo, Circle K submitted their application for planning permission to South Dublin County Council on March 31.
They outlined plans for the change of use from permitted retail use, to retail use including the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises.
The off-licence is to be within the overall permitted retail unit, with a floor area of 8sq.m. It’s noted in the application that it is to be ancillary to the primary retail use of the garage.
The application attracted a number of objections, including from John Canning, the president of the St Kevin’s conference of SVP, who cited concerns about anti-social behaviour in the locality.
The members of Kilnamanagh Neighbourhood Watch objected to the application, as they claimed the Kilnamanagh Circle K outlet “is not showing responsible supervision of its current alcohol sales” and the proposed off-licence “would cause serious problems for our area”.
The Belgard Area Residents’ Association said they were opposed to the proposed development, as alcohol is already on sale in the petrol station, and as such it’s not a change of use “but an extension of what is already in place”.
All three objections also mentioned concerns about underage drinking in the area, and expressed fears that the proposed off-licence could exacerbate the problem.
South Dublin County Council refused permission for the change of use on May 25, citing their view that the off-licence would “contribute to an overconcentration of off-licences” in the locality.
The local authority also stated that the petrol station is in a location which is removed from passive surveillance, and would provide “opportunity for anti-social behaviour”.
This would go against the zoning of the site, which is zoned for the protection and/or improvement of residential amenity, according to the council.
