Athlone drive-thru coffee shop decision appealed

A decision by Westmeath County Council to refuse planning permission for a drive-thru coffee shop at Golden Island Shopping Centre in Athlone has been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanala.

Applicants for the proposed development, Int Inv (I) GP Ltd, are looking to overturn the decision made by the local authority with the aim of "reinvigorating and revitalising" a long-established shopping centre through the introduction of a new drive-thru element associated with the approved coffee shop use.

Westmeath County Council refused permission for the proposed development in early August, as it was not satisfied that the applicant had 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".

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".

In their appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála, the applicants questioned the merits of Westmeath County Council's decision to refuse planning permission, stating that the proposed development "represents an appropriate and well considered addition to the established Golden Island Shopping Centre".

Int Inv (I) GP Ltd stated that the application should be "assessed in the context of its commercial environment", adding that the "proposed drive-thru would not have a material adverse effect on the surrounding road network", allowing for the "existing scale of vehicle activity at Golden Island" on a daily basis.

Noting that "appropriate measures" have been incorporated in the planning application to ensure pedestrian and vehicular movements, the applicants stated that the proposed development would offer "tangible benefits in terms of sustainable transport and connectivity" including pedestrian links to Burgess Park and enhanced footpaths and bicycle parking.

Calling on An Coimisiúin Pleanála to grant planning approval, the applicants said the proposed development would provide an additional service and employment opportunity and "make more efficient use of an existing commercial site".

An Coimisiún Pleanála has confirmed that a decision will be made on the appeal on or before January 7, 2027.