One of the newest additions to Ennis’s business community has been told it isn’t allowed to retain alterations made to its shopfront.
Ginos Italian Limited has been unsuccessful in its attempt to secure retention permission for alterations to the pre-existing shopfront of it premises on O’Connell Street.
The popular ice cream franchise opened its doors on the county town’s main thoroughfare in August of last year.
A key aspect of its redevelopment of 18 O’Connell Street was the implementation of an entirely open design to its shopfront which is a distinctive feature of its stores right across the country.
Applying for retention permission for the alterations on April 17th on behalf of Gino’s, Ennis-based planning consultant Michael Leahy states this would’ve constituted “exempt development” ordinarily.
However, the application claims the applicant wasn’t aware the premises is located within an Architectural Conservation Area which removes the exemption.
Outlining its decision to refuse retention permission on June 6th, Clare County Council says keeping the alterations in place would result in “unacceptable development”.
It says it would be “out of character” with surrounding buildings and set an “undesirable precedent” for similar alterations to nearby premises.
Ginos Italian Limited can lodge an appeal with An Bórd Pleanála within four weeks of the decision.
