Permission refused for new service station complex with two food outlets in Kilkenny

A planning application has been refused for a large service station complex at Garrandarragh, Mullinavat, County Kilkenny.

The proposed development was to include an amenity/services building with a gross floor area of approximately 1.028sq.m comprising of a retail convenience store with part off-licence, two food outlets (one with a Drive-Thru function), a coffee area and a communal seating area.

Externally, permission was sought for external seating sixty-three standard car parking spaces, four accessible spaces, two service bays, two waiting bays, three coach parking spaces, fourteen HGV parking spaces and eight bicycle parking spaces.

The planning application was submitted by Petrogas Group Ltd., a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Applegreen plc.

The application was submitted to the local authority in May of last year and was subject to a period of further consultation.

The planning authority decided to refuse permission on the grounds that they were 'not satisfied that effluent from the proposed development can be discharged at the site without risk to public health or the environment'.

They further added that the 'level of nitrates levels on the adjacent site are above the EPA's 25mg/l intervention threshold for nitrate' and that the 'additional wastewater discharge to groundwater could lead to a further increase in levels of nitrate in the groundwater'.

The decision letter also brought attention to the 'absence of a Tier 3 risk assessment for a discharge of wastewater to groundwater for the proposed development'.

"This risk assessment will require a decision from An Bord Pleanála on the adjacent development before any risk assessment can be carried out for this proposed development," the letter noted.

"Accordingly, it is considered that the proposed development would be injurious to public health and contrary to the protection of the environment and the proper planning and sustainable development of the area."

The applicant can still choose to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanála.