An Bord Pleanala have refused planning permission for the proposed McDonald’s in Greystones.
The fast food chain was to open a new restaurant in the Blacklion Shopping Centre and had been granted planning permission by Wicklow Count Council.
However, An Bord Pleanala overturned the application on the grounds that the development was considered to be an “inadequate design response” which would have seriously injured the amenities of property in the vicinity and be “contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”
Four objections had been submitted to the An Bord Pleanala, including one from the board of management of temple Carrig Secondary School and Wicklow T.D. Simon Harris and others.
Local opinion was divided with some welcoming the creation of jobs in the town, while others cited draft planning guidelines that state that fast food restaurants should not be located beside schools.
