Bord Pleanala gives green light to Tuam drive-thru

AN Bord Pleanala has given the go ahead for a service station and drive-thru restaurant development on Tuam's outskirts.

The planning appeals board overturned Galway County Council's decision refusing planning permission for the development last year.

Sean Brett, who purchased the former Coca-Cola site in Tuam for his Steeltech shed business, sought permission to develop a new filling station, forecourt and drive-thru on the vacant green section of the site. It is to include a shop with off-licence, parking and a car wash.

The Council refused permission last September on the basis that the development would create a traffic hazard and obstruct road users and therefore endanger public safety.

It was also turned down because planners said that given the overlapping nature of the site with the existing factory complex and the number of existing service station developments nearby, the development would be an over-development of the site.

However, An Bord Pleanala has now granted permission for the substantial project subject to 13 conditions.

A decision is still awaited on another large-scale service station proposal for the Brogan's Tractor site, also on the Galway Road in Tuam.

This development was also refused planning permission by Galway County Council last year and has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala.

A third planning application lodged by Supermac's chief Pat McDonagh and a Tuam businessman for a plaza-style drive thru and service station across the road from Brogan's was withdrawn.