Plan for gaming arcade in West Cork town is withdrawn

An application for a gaming arcade in Bandon has been withdrawn despite receiving planning permission last week from Cork County Council.

Cork County Council had granted planning permission to Leeside Leisure Centre Ltd for the change of use of the Stables Bar at 1 Oliver Plunkett Street at ground floor level, to a gaming amusement arcade complex and all ancillary signage and site development works.

But in a statement sent to former county councillor Sean O’Donovan of Bandon Connects, Leeside Leisure Centre Ltd said that after considering the matter and consulting with relevant stakeholders, the company has decided that the most appropriate form of action was not to proceed with the development.

The proposal for the casino had provoked a strong community reaction in the Bandon area.

An online petition against the proposal quickly gathered over 1,300 signatures, with public figures and residents also voicing their opposition to the proposal.

Nearly 400 people also attended a recent protest against plans for a casino in the town of Bandon.

Speaking to The Echo, Social Democrats county councillor for Bandon-Kinsale Ann Bambury said the issue has been discussed widely in the area.

“I have spent the past week back and forwards with independent planning consultants, because that was the route to go, from a community perspective,” she said.

Ms Bambury added: “From our perspective, Bandon has heritage status from being a heritage town. From my perspective, I don’t think that having a gaming arcade is part of that.

“We have a fantastic new public realm that is continuing at the moment. So, a gaming arcade/casino type establishment, I think it really contravenes all of that.”