Planners green-light Omniplex restaurant

The owners of the Omniplex cinema in Mullingar have received planning permission with revised conditions from An Bord Pleanála allowing them to construct a restaurant on the site.

The appellants in the case were Patrick and Paula Horan and June Connell, all of Harbour Street. The cinema is owned by Limerick Omniplex Ltd, care of Magahy Broderick Associates of 123 Lower Baggage Street, Dublin.

In her commentary, the inspector wrote that the development was to consist of the construction of a new part-single, part-two-storey restaurant with an internal floor area of approximately 269 square metres. The height of the building is to be 6.1 metres, with a raised external dining area at first floor level.

She noted that the county council had granted the proposed development subject to 16 conditions, the majority of which were standard. Those relevant to the appeal related to the hours of operation, boundary treatment to the service/ refuse collection area, lighting, which was to be agreed to the planning authority, and noise restriction.

The inspector described the mass and proportion of the proposed restaurant as being acceptable on the appeal site. Her view was that the building footprint would not be overly dominant or detract from the ambiance and setting of the Royal Canal.

“The proposed building is modest and will create minimal visual impact on the immediate area,” she wrote, adding that on balance, she considered the scale, layout and design to be acceptable.

The inspector noted that the appellants lived in two residences adjoining the site. She said that in the interest of protecting their residential amenity, a 2-metre block and cap wall should be provided along the eastern boundary of the restaurant site.

In the interests of preventing noise disruption to the residents, she said she considered it reasonable that the restaurant should operate no later than 22.30 hours as opposed to catering for the people who exit the cinema at 23.00 hours.