Councillors to write to casino owner

Cork City Council has voted to write to Coalquay Leisure Ltd, a Cork-based casino owner, over plans for an arcade and leisure centre in Ballincollig town centre.

The council intends to call on the company not to proceed with the development.

The company, which is based on Academy Street, currently operates a number of casinos in Cork city centre.

The proposed development - which plans to take over a site previously occupied by a fitness centre - was initially refused planning permission by Cork City Council in June last year.

It was decided that the “adult-oriented” nature of the proposed development would not be appropriate considering the “intrinsically family friendly” shops around the site.

However, an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála saw permission granted in October of this year.

The decision has seen considerable objection from the local community, with a demonstration being held outside the proposed site attended by some 500 people. A petition against the development was signed by more than 2,000 residents.

Sinn Féin Cllr Joe Lynch, who proposed the motion said the opinion of the city council and local residents was that the development was “inappropriate”.

“This was – and remains – the view of the local community, who don’t want this development in our town,” he said.

“The decision of An Coimisiún Pleanála, in overturning this council’s decision to refuse permission for this proposal, was unexpected and it has left the local community in Ballincollig – quite understandably – angered and annoyed that a decision of their local council, informed by the City Development Plan, could be so crudely overturned.”

"That was evident last month when over 500 people took to the streets to say loudly - and clearly - that this development is not wanted,” he said.