Council says no to Offaly pub's existing extension

THE operator of a pub in Shannonbridge has been refused permission to retain an extension to the premises.

Offaly County Council said the decision was taken for environmental reasons because Killeen's on Main Street in the village is ecologically connected to the callows of the rivers Shannon and Suck.

Council planners said a screening exercise, known as an appropriate assessment, was required and the law says it should therefore refuse to consider an application to retain unauthorised development of land.

An appropriate assessment was carried out but the council indicated that a further one was necessary.

The application to retain an extension to an existing store and plant room, change the use of 52 sq m of the premises to a whiskey tasting experience, retain an extension to the ground floor, and retain an enclosed outdoor seating area, was made by Seven Churches Whiskey Ltd, whose director is Liam Fallon.

Some of the developments were permitted under previous planning applications.

An assessment referred to the potential for significant effects on conservation objectives and there were further references by the council planner to “noise and discharge of construction” and “noise impacts of operation”.

The Shannon Callows is a special area of conservation and a special protection area and the Suck Callows is a special protection area.

The applicant had told the council it would remove six temporary lighting columns on the premises and this would comply with an EU directive on habitats.

The applicant also said the whiskey experience would attract about 400 visitors a year.

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