Service station plans lodged for Dunshaughlin
Plans by Applegreen for a motorway service area in Dunshaughlin have been submitted to Meath County Council.
Petrogas Group Ltd is seeking permission for a service area and electric vehicle charging on a 3.4 hectares site at Knocks, Dunshaughlin. The plans include 36 electric vehicle charging point parking spaces, eight general fuel pumps, and two HGV fuel pumps together with underground fuel storage tanks and ancillary pipe works.
An amenity/services building of 968sqm is proposed to include a retail convenience store with off-licence, two food outlets, one of which would be a drive-through, a coffee area, ancillary food preparation area, welfare facilities and a seating area to seat 166. Two picnic areas and a children's play area are proposed outside.
A driver exercise area, 92 car parking spaces, four family spaces, six accessible spaces, six car-parking spaces, three coach parking spaces, 12 HGV spaces and 12 bicycle spaces are included in the plans.
A previous application by Applegreen for a similar development was granted planning permission by Meath County Council in 2016, but this was overturned by An Bord Pleanala on appeal, who refused it as the land was not zoned.
Cllr Gerry O'Connor welcomed the lodging of the application. He said: "Applegreen, have lodged their planning application for an off motorway development to include a service station, retail units and large carpark for statutory long hall driver breaks. The development will include a take away and sit down fast food outlet. It will be similar to the Enfield development.
"During the County Development Plan process, I put a motion in to change the zoning from agriculture to economic development. The motion was opposed by Meath County Council but my fellow councillors supported me and the motion was passed.
“Similarly, the Office of the Planning Regulator opposed the motion but having been given reasonable responses, subsequently changed their stance. This is a multi million euro development for Dunshaughlin and will create around 25 local jobs. Its been a long road but I'm delighted."