Planning given for outdoor seating at Dunnes Stores unit in Cork despite appeal 

Planning permission has been granted for the construction of an outdoor seating area on the third floor of Dunnes Stores Patrick St outlet, despite an appeal by surrounding residents.

The application, lodged in February by Better Value Unlimited Company, was appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) in April.

The appeal called for the rejection of the application on the grounds of noise pollution and loss of privacy; one resident highlighted how the proposed commercial terrace would be situated at the same elevation as habitable rooms and private terraces connected to Opera Lane apartments, therefore directly impacting residents’ privacy.

He said that the development’s proposed timber screen would leave some residential amenities exposed.

The resident also claimed there were “fundamental deficiencies” in the noise impact assessment conducted on behalf of Dunnes Stores, that “render its conclusions unreliable”.

In response, Dunnes Stores said the Opera Lane apartments were built at the same time as a significant redevelopment of its store, so residents would have been aware of the commercial nature of the development.

The company also said the proposal represented a “modest and well-controlled” change of use of the existing terrace and highlighted how noise pollution is inevitable in a city centre location.

The company said tests on noise levels were conducted when the terrace was at its capacity of 20 people, and were compliant with the limits placed as a condition by the council.

ACP rejected the appeal saying the proposed changes would “not seriously injure the residential or visual amenities of the area” and would not detract from its character.