Extension to Athlone Costa Coffee branch given green light

A plan to add an extension to an Athlone branch of Costa Coffee has been given the go-ahead by Westmeath County Council.

The addition of a new 65 square metre seating area at the existing Costa outlet on the Ballymahon Road was approved, subject to five conditions, on Friday last.

MBCC Foods Ireland Ltd, with an address in Dungannon, submitted an application in June to extend the premises, which is one of two Athlone branches of the multinational coffee chain.

The application said the work would consist of "extension to existing coffee shop to comprise of new seating area to front (west) of shop (65 sq m), external signage to include new signage... internally illuminated letters, internal alterations to include new toilets and extended bin store."

A submission was made by Mary Croughan, proprietor of the adjacent SuperValu supermarket, who expressed concern that that the extension would "impact negatively on the overall shared parking" for Avondale Neighbourhood Centre, which includes the SuperValu and Costa Coffee stores along with other businesses.

In its decision, Westmeath County Council made no reference to parking provision in the area.

It listed five conditions, which included that the company would provide "a designated waste storage area" which would include separate bins for recyclable items, waste, and compostable material.

The conditions also included limits on the amount of dust and noise that could be generated during the construction works on site. In addition, MBCC Foods was instructed to make a development contribution of €1,703 to Westmeath County Council in respect of the project.

An appeal against the decision can be made to An Bord Pleanála for up to four weeks from last Friday's date, August 18.