An Bord Pleanála back up Longford car dealership plans

An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission to Ballymahon car dealership Peter Hanley Motors to develop his showrooms following a review of a local authority decision.
Colm and Una Ledwith were the third party appellant to the permission granted by Longford County Council in July last year.
Peter Hanley, trading as Peter Hanley Motors, was granted permission to demolish the existing showroom building and construct a new building in a new location subject to 13 conditions.

Permission was appealed to An Bord Pleanála with particular reference to location, zoning and previous planning history.

In her report Inspector Dolores McCague said the development would not be in line with the Longford County Development Plan.
Despite a recommendation by the Inspector that it be declined An Bord Pleanála granted approval.

The planners report it stated: “Given the nature and scale of the proposed development, it is considered that... the proposed development would not seriously injure the visual amenities of the area, or the residential amenities of the area, or endanger public safety and would not be contrary to the overall provisions of the Longford County Development Plan 2021-2027.”
An Bord Pleanála said it is “in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.

The final decision by the planning oversight body said: “In deciding not to accept the Inspector's recommendation to refuse permission, the Board considered this use was permitted and established on the site and did not constitute a material expansion of same and consequently considered that no material intensification of use of the access on to the R393.”