Appeals against plan for ‘neighbourhood centre’ on derelict site

An Bord Pleanála has received three appeals against plans to construct a major retail outlet on a derelict site in Youghal.

A prominent international retail chain may occupy the former Seafield Textiles plant site in the east Cork town.

But a local family along with rival retail interests have objected to the granting of planning permission.

An application for planning had been granted by Cork County Council in December to a consortium, Seafield Partnership.

The near 4-acre site in the Strand area, based on the main approach to the town from Cork City, is regarded by some locals as an eyesore.

The appellants are Oliver Daly from Co Galway along with Tesco Ireland and locals John and Ann Fitzgerald. Mr Daly is believed to be acting on behalf of a retail organisation.

The planning consists of a mixed use ‘neighbourhood centre’. It comprises a single-storey discount food store, including alcohol sales area. There is also provision for six single-storey retail units, a single-storey office and restaurant with drive-through.

Further facilities include parking for 178 vehicles, a covered pedestrian walkway and associated works.

A surface water culvert would also be diverted, while a protected portion of the existing structure would be retained.

Seafield textiles closed in 2005 and the site is now gull-infested and regarded locally as an overgrown eyesore.

There have been three outbreaks of fire at the site in recent years.

Bord Pleanála upheld an appeal against a previous planning approval on the grounds that it would detract from town centre commercial development in contravention of the Town Development Plan 2009-15.

The appellants at that time consisted of Mr Daly and the Fitzgeralds. The local family’s concerns focus primarily on drainage matters.

Youghal Town Council subsequently amended the plan to accommodate a ‘medium-size convenient store’ in the Strand catchment area which led to a fresh planning application.

A spokesman for Seafield Partnership says it was “a shame that third parties continue to oppose what would provide a badly needed service to a part of Youghal that has long been neglected for development”.

A 2013 survey found one in four respondents travelled 30km to Dungarvan or Midleton for convenience food shopping, while three in four shopped elsewhere for comparison non-food goods.

Seafield Partnership has until February 18 to submit a response to the appeal. The board’s decision is scheduled for May 25.