Refusal decisions · 27 Jul–2 Aug 2026

It is a policy of the Buncrana Town Plan, 2024-2030 (Policy TC-G-P-4 refers) to ‘Consider proposals for food take-away units, bookmakers, amusement arcades, and casinos within the ‘Urban Core’ zoning provided that they: (a) Are not located within or abutting premises consisting of residential accommodation, schools or religious institutions. (b) Do not contribute to the over concentration of such uses in a given area which would result in excessive noise, litter and anti-social hours of operation; and (c) Do not detract from the streetscape and vitality and viability of the area.’ On the basis of the information submitted, which (i) fails to clarify the permitted use/s of the upper second and third floor areas above ground floor units in the overall building previously indicated as residential in historical applications and (ii) otherwise seeks permanent excessive late opening hours on the basis of an heretofore unapproved late-night licence from a third party premises as an acceptable rational for same, the Planning Authority are not satisfied that the application has sufficiently demonstrated compliance with the above policy or otherwise presented a valid planning rationale for same. Accordingly, to permit the development on as proposed would materially contravene the aforementioned policy, would set an undesirable precedent for future forms of similar development and would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.