Planning refused for Athlone drive-thru coffee shop
Westmeath County Council has refused planning permission for a drive-thru coffee shop at Golden Island Shopping Centre in Athlone.
Planning permission for the proposed development was sought by Int Inv (I) GP Ltd in June which the applicants said would "reinvigorate and revitalise" a long-established shopping centre through the "introduction of a new drive-thru element" associated with the approved coffee shop use.
Citing its reasons to refuse permission for the proposed development, the planning authority said it was not satisfied that the applicant has demonstrated that the proposed drive-thru coffee shop "would not adversely affect traffic circulation", "pedestrian safety" or the "efficient operation of the Golden Island Shopping Centre road network".
Westmeath County Council also informed Int Inv (I) GP Ltd that the transport assessment submitted with the planning application did not provide sufficient evidence that the proposed development "would have no material traffic impact".
The planning authority additionally refused the proposed drive-thru facility on the grounds of its "car-dependent nature".
"The proposal would reinforce reliance on private car use, at a centrally located site where sustainable modes of travel should be prioritised," the planning authority said.
Westmeath County Council said approval of the proposed development would "reinforce reliance on private car use" and is "contrary to the sustainable transport and climate action objectives of the National Planning Framework".
Planning permission was originally sought by Int Inv (I) GP Ltd for a similar development in 2021 and, subject to conditions, one of which was the removal of the drive-thru element of the design, was granted approval by Westmeath County Council.
At the time of approval in 2021, the planning authority requested the omission of the drive-thru element of the proposed development by "virtue of its design, scale and layout".
The planning authority also stated at the time that the proposed development was considered to "constitute a predominantly car-dependent use at this prominent location within Athlone".
A planning report submitted on behalf of Int Inv (I) GP Ltd with the June application was "specifically designed to address the concerns previously raised by the planning authority", and included plans for increased connections to the Golden Island Shopping Centre and the wider town centre.