Decision delayed on Athlone entertainment centre plans

A verdict on ambitious plans for “Ireland's most technologically advanced entertainment centre” which could create up to 30 new jobs in the old Texas centre in Irishtown, has been parked for the time being after Westmeath County Council requested further information on several different aspects of the project. 

Planners want revised plans and more data from the developers on a number of issues including parking, noise, potential emissions from the business, waste storage and ways to improve what they describe as “the urban fabric and setting” of the proposed development, plans for which attracted four submissions from businesses and residents living nearby.
Steinford Investments Fund, which purchased the centre in late 2017, recently signed an agreement with Elevate Entertainment to launch a “unique leisure experience” in Athlone, by the middle of 2020 pending approval, according to the planning documents lodged in September. It would see a €1.5 million fit-out of the premises to facilitate activities such as “go-karting, roller disco, Ireland's largest Nerf Gun Arena, Nerf shooting gallery and store as well as the latest technology in the virtual reality and augmented reality entertainment space" in the largely vacant landmark building.
The proposed entertainment centre, a first of its kind in Ireland under one roof, would extend to in excess of 4,000 square metres over three floors and would use all the balance of the retail space in the facility. 
More information about how the development will comply with parking requirements is requested, and if, as indicated in the documents it's intended to use the separately owned private car park adjacent to centre, then “evidence to the effect that there is an agreement” should be submitted. Other issues raised in the request by the council include the need for a comprehensive noise survey for day-time and night-time operation, along with more information about potential for emissions, data on refuse storage, ventilation and ways to improve the appearance of the wall along the link road to the western edge of the multi-storey car park and make that stretch (link road) more pedestrian friendly. 
The exterior finish of the Polonez store to the exterior of the centre should form part of the overall external upgrade works, the council's request for further information and revised plans expressly stated recently, adding that the developer also needs to respond to the issues highlighted in the four submissions in relation the project. 
Shannon Dry Cleaners, who have operated to the rear of the centre for the last 37 years, said in their submission they would “fully support and actively encourage appropriate development and regeneration of the site as a retail centre,” however, they believe the current proposal “falls far short of this objective as it is inappropriate and unsuitable in a core retail area” and goes against the draft Athlone Joint Retail Strategy.
Employing seven people directly in their unit in Irishtown and supporting a number of full-time staff in other locations, the firm maintained that if this development proceeds it is “quite likely to impact hugely on business to our unit as customers will not be encouraged to come” there.
Another business owner Valerie Case, who owns four units adjacent to the building, raised questions about the opening hours of the entertainment centre, noise levels and what age group it will be targeted at, and in what numbers. “At present we have quite a bit of anti-social behaviour in our town and in my opinion somewhat due to redevelopment of Church Street,” the submission stated, adding that while development for this area is “badly needed” she is of the belief that this proposal will “take away our retail status from the site.”
Meanwhile, local resident Liz Fletcher raised concerns that the entertainment centre would attract extra traffic to an “already problematic traffic/parking area,” in St Mary's Place, a worry shared by another resident, Michael McDonnell, who noted that the residential area is along an “extremely busy road” with three schools nearby, the church, and Athlone Little Theatre. The potential for late-night noise as the premises backs onto their homes was also highlighted in both submissions, along with queries about the opening hours, and complaints that the planning notice was erected in the wrong location on the site. The applicant has six months to comply with the council's request for further information.