Laois pub approved for extension to add evening restaurant

A popular Laois pub has won planning permission to add restaurant facilities.

Turley’s in Mountmellick has been granted approval to build a single storey extension to the rear of the licensed premises, to add an additional seating area, a commercial kitchen, storage and new staff toilet.

The premises is on Harbour Street at a junction of the roads to Portarlington and Emo. It is a popular spot with weekly live music.

The applicants, owners of the business had said that Mountmellick lacks a “premium evening dining venue”, which they hope to fill.

The exterior of Turley’s Pub in Mountmellick.

The move followed a change of Mountmellick management at Turleys, from brothers Brian and Tom Moss to the Watchorne family, who also manage the popular Jeremiah Grants pub and restaurant on Portlaoise Main Street.

Applicants Michael and Elizabeth Buggy had to supply extra information on request of the council, to answer concerns raised by two neighbours of the pub.

Two neighbours had made submissions raising concerns that an extension of the busy pub, would further increase the level of overnight parked cars at the pub.

They say this can block their entrance to the Strahard cul de sac road, through the carpark beside the pub. They said the pub caused “constant nuisance and restricted emergency access” to Strahard.

The applicants had argued that there will not be increased traffic.

“The proposed transition from a predominantly late night, alcohol-led business to a broader food-led model is expected to result in a measurable reduction in parking demand and traffic pressures in the vicinity of the premises. A food focused offering generally attracts a different customer profile,” they said.

They said that restaurant customers would more likely visit earlier in the day or evening, rather than late at night, avoid the premises if it appears overcrowded, and arrange their own transport with less potential for vehicles remaining in parking spaces overnight.

They said there would be “minimal removal of glassware or generation of litter. Significantly reduced risk of overnight car parking. Lower potential for noise disturbance in surrounding areas”.

The applicants also said they were open to “implementing traffic and parking measures in consultation with Laois County Council”.

The Buggy family further said that it would help employment in Mountmellick.

“It is our understanding that there is clear and broad based support for this proposal within the local community. Mountmellick has, in recent years, endured a prolonged period of low commercial activity and minimal private investment. The town currently lacks any premium evening dining venue, representing a missed opportunity to enhance its social and economic fabric.

Read also: Contentious housing plan approved in Mountmellick town centre

“Against the backdrop of full employment at national level, Mountmellick continues to experience an unemployment rate of approximately 12% which is a stark, present and persistent indicator of the economic challenges faced by the town. On planning grounds alone, the proposal is robust, proportionate, and fully compliant with relevant policy and regulatory frameworks.”

The application was approved on September 29. It could yet be appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

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