Cork City Council members unanimous in their opposition to arcade plan

Cork City Council has unanimously agreed a motion calling on those proposing a large casino-style amusement arcade for Ballincollig not to proceed with the development.

The motion was proposed by Sinn Féin councillor Joe Lynch, who is a resident of Ballincollig, at Monday night’s council meeting, with widespread agreement from other councillors.

In June 2024, Cork City Council refused permission for the gaming/amusement arcade at Unit 4, Westside Retail Park, which would be open from 9am to 1am daily, saying that the “adult-orientated nature” and its proximity to existing retail outlets that are intrinsically “family-friendly” would damage other retailers.

In October of this year, An Coimisiún Pleanála overturned the decision and gave the go-ahead to the plan. A protest on the topic was attended by hundreds of people in Ballincollig last month.

Mr Lynch said: 

"This motion concerns an issue that has been ongoing since May 2024 when the proposal to develop a large-scale casino-type development in Ballincollig first emerged.

“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 explained: “This was – and remains – the view of the local community, who don’t want this development in our town; which is a family-friendly place and doesn’t need this type of development.

“The decision of An Coimisiún Pleanála, in overturning this council’s decision to refuse permission for this proposal, was unexpected and it has left the local community in Ballincollig – quite understandably – angered and annoyed that a decision of their local council, informed by the city development plan, could be so crudely overturned.

“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.”

Labour’s Ciara O’Connor, also a councillor for the area, agreed, saying she was “outraged” that Cork City Council’s decision had been overturned, adding that Ballincollig already had a similar arcade facility.

She said: “This is a real concern for the community, there’s absolutely no need for another development of this nature — it’s a risk to children and to those struggling with addiction.”

Independent councillor Albert Deasy added that the opening hours were an issue, as it would be open until 1am, saying there was “overwhelming opposition” to the development in the community, and that he had submitted a detailed observation outlining these issues to the planning board.