Bid to convert hair salon into casino on Cork's northside turned down amid local objections

A planning inspector for Cork City Council agreed the neighbouring businesses would be disrupted should a casino be permitted to operate there. File picture

A bid to convert a hair salon into a casino on Cork City’s northside has been turned down by City Hall.

Leeside Leisure Centre Ltd had applied to convert Unit 6 of the Moremiles Business Centre on Redforge Road in Blackpool into a “gaming/amusement arcade” to complement its two existing casinos located more centrally in Cork City.

Objections were lodged against the proposals by the businesses either side of the proposed casino.

It included a submission from O’Connor Poole Opticians, which wrote it felt it would be “completely unsuitable in what is a highly residential area comprised mainly of families and elderly people”.

“We are concerned that a gaming/amusement arcade will encourage antisocial behaviour,” it said.

“From our own point of view as the only optician providing services in this area of the city for the last 18 years, we would fear our loyal customers would be deterred from attending our practice due to the concerns outlined above.” 

Blackpool Travel also lodged a submission and said it requested planning permission be turned down as it was a “totally unsuitable area for such a development”.

“It would be impossible for our staff and clients to make a holiday booking with the noise from gaming machines, not to mind the chaos that would ensue outside the door,” it said. 

This change of use would result in anti-social behaviour on our doorstep. 

A planning inspector for Cork City Council agreed the neighbouring businesses would be disrupted should a casino be permitted to operate there.

“Given the nature of the adjoining uses I consider that they are likely to be unduly impacted by noise etc should the proposed change of use occur,” the inspector said.

“I also note that the subject site is within 30m of residences on Dublin Hill and is located opposite the Blackpool Library.” 

The inspector recommended permission be refused.

In its decision, Cork City Council said the proposed site was in an area that had been zoned for “public infrastructure and utilities”.

“It is considered that the proposed use as a gaming / amusement arcade does not conform to the zoning objectives of the area,” it said, adding it would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Last year, Cork City Council also turned down a proposal for a casino in Ballincollig. The council said such a facility was deemed to have a “high potential for nuisance in the immediate vicinity”.