Appeal over Birdhill Barracks plan

An Bord Pleanála is to rule on a disputed planning application involving the Old Barracks coffee roastery in Birdhill.

Tipperary Co Council recently granted conditional planning permission to applicant Alan Andrews for retention of a garden seating area and all ancillary site works.

A third party appeal has been made by Jimmy Lyons, director of neighbouring restaurant Matt the Thrasher Birdhill Ltd. Mr Lyons had made a submission to the council in which he stated that the redevelopment of the Old Barracks now includes an industrial-size coffee bean roasting plant for the processing of coffee beans for the wholesale market. He said the plant produces fumes that drift towards his premises, "causing upset to our customers and staff. We are seriously concerned from a health and safety point of view as to what chemicals, etc, this smoke may contain."

Mr Lyons claimed that the commercial roasting of coffee beans is unauthorised development. He also stated that the Old Barracks is discharging wastewater without a discharge licence. The wastewater treatment plant is owned by Matt the Thrasher and it does not have capacity to accommodate continued expansion of the Old Barracks. The appellant added that the Old Barracks does not pay towards upkeep of the treatment plant.

An Bord Pleanála is to decide on the case by June 3.