The Marshes intend on submitting an application for a cinema at the shopping centre in the coming weeks
EXCLUSIVE
Two local businesses have lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala against Dundalk Town Council’s decision to grant planning permission for a new seven screen cinema at Dundalk Retail Park.
At the start of last month, the local authority granted planning permission to David Carson, the receiver and manager over Finnabair Estates Limited (who are in receivership), to convert three units at the retail park into a cinema. The units in question – 2, 3 and 4 – were all formerly occupied by Harvey Norman, who closed its doors in Dundalk at the start of summer.
Now though, any plans for the new cinema will have to be put on hold pending appeals for the Marshes Shopping Centre – who hope to include a cinema in the centre in the future – and IMC Cinema, who operate the town’s only current cinema at Carroll Village.
Dundalk’s existing cinema at Carroll Village
The Marshes Shopping Centre Ltd (MSCL) have objected to the new cinema on four counts. They insist that the development would have an impact on the town centre area, while also pointing out that they “intend to make an application for a cinema development in the coming weeks.” They further admit that “the prospects for a cinema on the MSCL lands will be diminished if a cinema is permitted at Dundalk Retail Park.”
They also feel that the cinema would have an “impact on the functionality and viability” of the Retail Park and have “consequences for the future provision of retail warehousing in Dundalk”.
They point out that An Bord Pleanala have shown precedence in refusing permission for similar cinema proposals in retail parks and also claim that the proposal is “contrary to principles of sustainable land use and transportation, including the Government’s Smarter Travel policies.”
The existing cinema operators in Dundalk, IMC, have also objected to the proposed new cinema on similar grounds
The proposal for the Retail Park would see a seven screen cinema built including an entrance foyer with ticket kiosk, food and beverage stalls, a coffee shop, service and ciculation areas and toilets.
A new main entrance would also be created at unit 2, closing off the entrances to units 3 and 4. There are also proposals for new emergency exits and for the construction of an internal wall between units 4 and 5 to facilitate unit 5 to operate as a standalone retail warehouse unit.
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