A Tipperary coffee shop has been granted permission to retain its drive-through facility, after concerns were raised about traffic queuing onto the N24.
Gerard Butler applied to Tipperary County Council for permission to retain the existing coffee drive-through facility, the existing associated signage, as well as the use of an existing entrance, and all associated site development works for the Three Bridges coffee shop in Carrick-on-Suir.
Retention permission is sought for development that has already been carried out without prior planning permission.
The coffee shop, located on a site off the N24, had previously been the subject of an enforcement letter from the council, according to planning files.
In their report, planners for the council said that the development on the site is “relatively minor” and would not raise concerns about visual impact or residential amenity concerns.
The district engineer initially raised concerns about how the facility would impact on the N24, which runs from Waterford to Limerick, through Tipperary, and if cars queuing for the coffee shop could cause delays on the route.
In a further information submission, agents acting on behalf of Mr Butler said that a traffic survey showed an average of 32 arrivals and 30 departures from the site per hour.
“Queue surveys demonstrate that the operation of the drive-through and associated commercial uses did not give rise to material traffic congestion,” the agent said.
“The existing central turning lane on the N24 provides adequate space for vehicles waiting to access the development without impeding through traffic,” they added.
However, the applicant’s report found that cars waiting to exit the site were obstructing the footpath and cycle lane, although planners said this could be addressed through signage.
The shop currently opens from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm on Saturdays and 9am to 5pm on Sundays and bank holidays. During the winter months, the kiosk will close at 3.30pm, planning files show.
The council granted retention permission for the development, subject to five conditions.
Included among the conditions are that the container that houses the coffee shop can only remain in place for three years, after which it must be removed from the site, and the area returned to its original condition.
The council also stipulated that Mr Butler pays the council €104 in a financial contribution for connections to services, and that no additional signage, apart from what is already installed, be added to the site.
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