Cork City councillors add pressure on developer to scrap Ballincollig casino plan

Among the concerns raised was the proposed venue’s proximity to schools and the potential for a 'rise of anti-social behaviour' within Ballincollig town centre. File photo: REUTERS/Tim Shaffer

Cork City councillors have agreed a motion urging those behind a proposed casino-style amusement arcade in Ballincollig to ditch their plans for the development.

At the latest council meeting, public representatives agreed to write to Coalquay Leisure Ltd expressing their “serious concern” about the controversial development.

It comes after An Coimisiún Pleanála gave a green light for the casino, despite Cork City Council originally rejecting the proposals last June.

More than 50 people wrote to Cork City Council objecting to the proposal, and some 2,000 people signed a petition against the plans. 

Among the concerns raised was the proposed venue’s proximity to schools and the potential for a “rise of anti-social behaviour” within Ballincollig town centre. Despite this, the planning board granted permission to Coalquay Leisure in October. 

It said the venue would be “a permissible form of commercial leisure development at an appropriate location” and “would not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of property in the vicinity”.

Local Sinn Féin councillor Joe Lynch proposed a motion regarding the amusement arcade at Monday’s council meeting.

“In the adjudication of the application for change-of-use planning permission, Cork City Council took the view that the development was inappropriate, rejecting it in the strongest possible terms,” he said.

Mr Lynch said the An Coimisiún Pleanála decision to grant the proposal had left the community angered and annoyed.

“That was evident last month when over 500 people took to the streets to say loudly, and clearly, that this development is not wanted and that those behind the proposal should take the hint and back off,” he added.