Green light for children's play area in Roscrea

Conditional planning permission has been granted for a children's play area in Roscrea.

Tesco developers TCORP Properties Ltd have received permission to provide a play area together with a playground pavilion on the plaza adjoining the existing supermarket.
But the plan has drawn some local disquiet over the omission of a cafe and water feature from the original vision. TCORP Properties described the playground proposal as a modification to the permitted development that was “in lieu” of the requirement to provide a cafe as a condition of planning.
Tipperary Co Council received a number of submissions on the plan. Local residents Marie Warren and Declan Madden both expressed concern over the decision not to construct a cafe. They also pointed out that the planned water feature has yet to be provided.
Among other concerns, Mr Madden described the application as an attempt to avoid a condition of planning stating that a 150 sq m coffee shop/restaurant was to be provided at ground floor level by the omission of car parking spaces and the revision to circulation space at the southern part of the building, overlooking the water feature and round tower. He said the original planning condition, stipulated by An Bord Pleanála, should be insisted upon.
Among her concerns, Ms Warren asked the council to consider the visual impact of the play area and whether it might cause antisocial behaviour outside shop hours.
Ms Warren expressed the view that a cafe/stroke restaurant would assist in integrating the Tesco store with the town centre. Currently, the majority of shoppers arrive by car, do their shopping and leave the car park without ever emerging from the store onto the plaza, she said. Ms Warren also asked the council to consider whether the play area would be completed or if the developer would look for a planning extension, by which time permission for the cafe would have lapsed.
The council also received a submission from Roscrea Chamber of Commerce, which asked the planners to take account of what would be best for the overall enhancement of the town.
“This assessment should take account of what will encourage more footfall into our town centre, which is critical for the survival and future growth of many local businesses,” said Chamber Secretary Brian King.
A further submission was received from the Dept of Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht, which stated that the site's location in a 'Zone of Archaeological Potential' should be observed.
The council granted permission to TCORP Properties on condition that the development be carried out within 12 months.
Also among its conditions, the council required that the 'sails' of the proposed canopy be of muted colours, and that a management and maintenance programme be put in place for the play area and pavilion. The developer was also required to engage an archaeologist.