Planning « Thurles Information

Tipperary Co. Co. Grant Permission For Thurles Single Storey McDonald’s Restaurant.

Correspondence forwarded, by Tipperary Co. Council on the 9th of April last, 2025, to McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland Ltd. regarding their applications for the granting of planning permission for a drive-thru McDonald’s Restaurant here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, [Ref. No. 2460829]; we can now confirm that permission has been granted.

The correspondence forwarded to McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland Ltd. reads as follows:

A Chara,
In pursuance of the powers conferred upon them by the above mentioned Acts, Tipperary County Council has by Order dated 09/04/2025 decided to grant you permission for development of land namely:-the development of a single storey drive-thru restaurant including the ancillary sale of hot food for consumption off the premises with an associated corral area, elevational signage, modifications to existing vehicular access off the Thurles Relief Road, car parking including accessible parking spaces, grill bays, EV charging spaces, bicycle parking, a height restrictor, customer order points with associated canopies, totem signage, free-standing signage, banner frames and digital menu boards, ESB substation and kiosk, landscaping including outdoor furniture/seating area with parasols, boundary treatments, lighting, and all associated site and engineering works necessary to facilitate the development.

A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and is submitted to the planning authority with the application at Land at Slievenamon Road and Thurles Relief Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

For the reason(s) stated in schedule 1 and subject to the condition(s) stated on schedule 2 (1 to 15, pages 1 to 3). If there is no appeal against the said decision, a Grant of permission in accordance with the Decision shall be issued as soon as maybe, but not
earlier than 3 working days after the expiration of the period within which an appeal may be made to An Bord Pleanala. (See Footnote at end of document).
It should be noted that until a Grant of a Permission has been issued the development in question is not authorised. The applicant is advised that unless the development described above is carried out within five (5) years from the date of Grant of PERMISSION, planning permission will cease to have effect.

Signed on behalf of Geraldine Quinn, (Director of Services) – Date: 9th April, 2025.

Amongst the many conditions included in the permission granted are:–
The development, should it go ahead, will not be permitted to operate outside the hours of 6:00am and 10:00pm, unless otherwise agreed in writing with the Planning Authority.
REASON: In the interests of residential amenity.

Prior to development commencing detailed design of the ventilation, air conditioning and mechanical equipment required to service the development shall be submitted for the written agreement of the Planning Authority. The equipment shall be located as per the details proposed and shall incorporate noise and odour mitigation measures in the design.
REASON: In the interest of residential and visual amenity.

Lighting will not be permitted to impact significantly on the amenities of adjoining properties or the safety of traffic on the public road. In the event that the Planning Authority receives complaints from neighbouring properties about light spillage, the Planning Authority will request the carrying out of a survey, by a suitably qualified person.
REASON: In the interest of residential amenity and traffic safety.

Free field noise levels attributable to the development (when assessed at all noise sensitive locations) during operation shall not exceed 55d B LAeq,T.

This grant of permission does not extend to the banner frames located at the northwestern and western ends of the site. These shall be omitted. Details of the banner frame and sign at the site entrance shall be submitted for the written agreement of the Planning Authority prior to development commencing.

All surface waters drainage from the site shall be discharged to the surface water sewer as proposed via a class 1 Petrol Interceptor.
The surface water drainage system shall be revised to incorporate nature based sustainable drainage measures that shall be integrated with the soft landscaping and tree planting proposals. Details of these measures shall be illustrated on a revised drainage plan for the site (to a scale of 1:500) that shall be submitted for the written agreement of the Planning Authority prior to development commencing.

EPA Announces Funding Of €6.6million For Targeted New Research Projects.

EPA announces funding of €6.6million for targeted new research projects to address environmental, climate and sustainability challenges.

The EPA today announces funding of €6.6million for new research that will address environmental, climate and sustainability challenges in Ireland.
Funding will support targeted research projects that address specific needs from across the policy community, with a focus on shorter projects to provide timely outputs.
Proposals are invited under 29 individual topics, including how we can enhance the reuse of water in Ireland, assessing methane emissions and exploring the impact of global megatrends on achieving environmental objectives.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced research funding of up to €6.6 million for new environmental research. The EPA is inviting proposals from the research community for innovative projects under 29 topics that will contribute to the development and implementation of environmental policies in Ireland.

Announcing the EPA funding call, Dr Eimear Cotter, (Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment) said: “The EPA’s continued investment in research underscores its critical role in addressing knowledge gaps and supporting effective policy responses to the challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation. In 2024, we were delighted to see an 80 per cent increase in applications to the EPA research call, highlighting the significant opportunity that researchers see for their work to contribute to environmental and climate policy development, and we hope to see a similarly strong response to our 2025 call.”

Research topics to be funded include:
assessing the performance of policies on achieving our climate targets;
examining how Ireland’s infrastructure can be resilient to population growth and climate change in the future;
exploring the impact of global megatrends such as artificial intelligence on environmental objectives;
how we can enhance the reuse of water in Ireland, and
analysing methane emissions from natural sources and human activities in Ireland.

Dr Darragh O’Neill, (EPA Research Manager”), stated, “The EPA is inviting proposals across 29 topics to address specific knowledge gaps. To strengthen the connection between research and policy, the EPA will support the successful research teams in working closely with the policy community to deliver impactful research outcomes. We particularly encourage early career researchers to apply and to consider the relevance of their research to the environment, climate and sustainability.”

The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative, funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Applications are accepted from across the island of Ireland, including from higher education institutions, research performing organisations, private companies and non-governmental organisations. Under this year’s call, the EPA is delighted to be partnering with Met Éireann, the Office of Public Works and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to co-fund projects in areas of mutual interest.

Further details about the 2025 EPA Research Call and how to apply for funding is available on the EPA Website.

Thurles Planning Alerts From Tipperary County Council.

Application Ref: 2560079.
Applicant: Paula Barry.
Development Address: 18 Sarsfield Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: (a) a proposed new extension to the existing dwelling; (b) associated alterations to existing dwelling to accommodate proposed new extension & internal layout; (c) alterations to the existing detached shed structure; (d) all associated site works.
Status: Conditional.
Application Received: 07/02/2025.
Decision Date: 26/03/2025.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560079/0.

Application Ref: 2560066.
Applicant: James O’Shea.
Development Address: Ballygammane, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Development Description: (1) domestic garage/store, (2) sunroom to side of existing house, (3) conversion of existing domestic garage to a bedroom and ensuite including alterations to roof and front elevation, (4) additional window to side elevation and (5) all associated site works.
Status: Conditional.
Application Received: 04/02/2025.
Decision Date: 25/03/2025.
Further Details: http://www.eplanning.ie/TipperaryCC/AppFileRefDetails/2560066/0.

Second Thurles ‘Section 5’ Exemption Not Intended To House IPAS Applicants.

We learn today that a second ‘Section 5’ Thurles Planning Exemption, announced by elected representatives, for an address on Friar Street, Thurles, was in fact never intended for use as housing for International Protection Applicants.

Proprietors of this identified Friar Street property have stated that their building will not be used as an IPAS centre and same was never intended to be used as such, in the first place.

The property on Friar Street in the town is currently home to a number of Ukrainians and the owner insists that it was never intended be used for International Protection Applicants.

Meanwhile, it has already been confirmed that Kilbrin Homes Ltd, has now decided not to progress with their plans for an IPAS Centre, scheduled for Mitchel Street in Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
This latter decision results in a scheduled public meeting, which was set to be held on Thursday, March 27th next, now will no longer take place, as was arranged for the Anner Hotel in the town.

Immigration issues, which suddenly came to the fore this week in Thurles, does not mean that Thurles people, for the most part, are either racist or against allowing refugees to come into our midst, seeking better opportunities.
The majority of residents believe that everyone should have the chance to improve their lives. However, the current systems are being totally exploited and the present government, supported by all Tipperary TDs; together with Tipperary County council officials appear to grant ‘Section 5’ planning exemption, in secret, to property owners/developers, in areas that are totally unacceptable. In the case of Thurles, not even one job has been created in the past 30 years, despite the fact that two elected TDs, up until the last election, were resident in the immediate area, both achieving nothing for either Thurles town or county. Where are these people to find job opportunities in Thurles?

Ireland continues to grow wealthier and is fast becoming one of the richest countries in the world, but the quality of life for many Irish people is declining. Our towns, and especially our cities, are becoming less safe – not solely because of immigration, but due to multiple factors, including drugs and a failing justice system.

Communities across Ireland are worried, and their concerns are being consistently ignored. When people’s feelings are suppressed, this leads to frustration, driving same toward more extreme beliefs. This breeds distrust in the government thus fuelling racism and extremism.

The immigration issue in Ireland is a complex and often controversial topic, touching on various social, economic, and political aspects. While Ireland has a long history of welcoming refugees and migrants; in recent years there have seen growing concerns and debates around immigration policies.

With regards Thurles and Co. Tipperary; it should be highlighted that while Tipperary County Council officials grant ‘Section 5’ Planning Exemption without any thought as to the area affected, this same Council have dragged a single elderly gentleman (Mr Sean Meehan), through the Irish Court system, demanding that he dismantle an insulated caravan on wheels, by April 4th next, which he positioned on his own land, near New Inn, Cahir, Co. Tipperary. Failure to obey this order, will see Mr Meehan spend his 66th birthday in an Irish prison, while his humble abode will be torn down, leaving him homeless when released.
This is despite planning rules for cabins and modular homes in back gardens all set to be relaxed in an effort to support a housing crisis in Ireland.

This is a County Council that lacks humanity; is according to elected representatives, a somewhat dictatorial regime that continuously wastes taxpayers money and fails to consult with local residents, their elected Councillors, TDs, Gardaí and other pertinent stakeholders.

Importance Of Thurles One Hundred Million Trees Project.

“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” – Greek Proverb.

It was great to see, once again, biodiversity being restored to the area of the Thurles Double Ditch, latter situated beside Dun Muileann Housing Estate, on Mill Road, in Thurles yesterday and sponsored by Allied Irish Banks (AIB).

In this area, not alone had the biodiversity been totally eradicated back in March 2023, but also a substantial piece of Thurles Heritage had been torn down and obliterated, courtesy of Tipperary Co. Council, led by now retired Thurles Fianna Fáil Councillor, Mr Seamus Hanafin and his known associates.

**Tree planters pictured above are students from Thurles Ursuline Convent Secondary School with Ms Anne Marie Fleming,** *(Tipperary County Council Biodiversity Officer)* **and Mr John Lanigan** *(Refresh Thurles)*.

**Tree planters pictured above are students from Thurles Presentation Convent Secondary School with Mr** **Richard Mulcahy** *(Co-founder of the 100MT Project initiative)*

So, how important was yesterday’s Thurles undertaking?

The two videos, shown immediately hereunder, should assist, greatly, in granting an understanding into the importance of yesterday’s Thurles project.

So what can we expect to see here in just 2 years from now?

Congratulations to all those responsible for yesterday’s undertaking, which, sadly, saw no elected politicians making themselves available to turn sods; however, in mitigation I suppose it wasn’t an election year and the trees were too small to allow the holding up of election posters, using tech screws.