New McDonald’s drive-thru planned for Tipperary halted as appeal lodged against plans

An appeal has been submitted to An Bord Pleanála opposing the proposed construction of a new McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant in Thurles.

Earlier this year, Tipperary County Council granted planning permission to McDonald's Restaurants of Ireland Limited for the development of a single-storey drive-thru outlet.

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The project includes provisions for hot food to be sold for consumption off-site, a designated corral area, signage on the building’s exterior, and adjustments to the existing vehicle access from the Thurles Relief Road. The location of the planned development is adjacent to Slievenamon Road.

The proposal has drawn considerable local opposition, with close to 30 submissions and comments made to the council objecting to the plans.

Among the objectors was Catherine Fogarty, who raised multiple issues including increased traffic, inconsistencies with the Thurles and Environs Local Area Plan 2024–2030, environmental concerns like air pollution, the suitability of the proposed location, the risk of anti-social behaviour, littering, and what she described as an “overconcentration of take-away fast food outlets in Thurles”.

Other objections claimed the drive-thru could “undermine the town centre,” contradict national efforts to tackle obesity, and raised concerns about how waste from the site would be managed.

“Locating a drive-thru restaurant at this location could possibly mitigate much of the relief the Inner Relief Report might provide for traffic congestion in Thurles,” said Ms Fogarty in her objection. “Given that the Thurles By Pass is decades away the potential to alleviate congestion offered by the TIRR should not be lessened by the construction of a drive-thru in Clongour.”

She also cited a previous assessment, stating: “The An Bord Pleanála inspector’s report for the Thurles Inner Relief Road recommended that no right turn be provided at this point on the TIRR as the Inspector deemed the site too small for development.”

Ms Fogarty added: “Indeed, I find it amazing that the developer proposes to have 32 car parking spaces and 25 to 40 staff working at the location, depending on the various reports accompanying the application, and expects that the noise and congestion will not be a negative experience.”

The council approved the planning application on April 9 with 15 conditions attached. Ms Fogarty filed an appeal with An Bord Pleanála on May 6. A final decision is expected by September 8.

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