Portlaoise business owner lodges appeal after refusal for development at industrial estate

A Portlaoise business owner who was refused planning permission for a development at Clonminam Business Park has taken his case to An Bord Pleanála. 

Dmitrij Zidkov, who runs Laois Stone & Stoves, applied for permission to change the use of part of an industrial unit to commercial use, a new shop front, additional second floor office area and all associated site works at Unit 6, Zone 5, Clonminam Business Park.

Laois County Council refused permission stating that because the lands were zoned 'Industrial and Warehousing' in the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 that retail use on the site would contravene the provisions of the plan and be contrary to the sustainable development of the area. The Council planner also said if they granted permission it would seriously undermine the approach to retail development in the county development plan and would undermine the vitality and viability of nearby Portlaoise Town Centre.

The applicant outlined that the proposal involves creating additional mezzanine level/storage space and adding a retail section of an existing business at Clonminam.

"The applicant owns the business and has run it successfully for the last 15—20 years. He has two current locations. The applicant's retail section of the business is based at Cloud Nine unit, Clonminam. Here Dmitrij has a display of stoves, fireplace surrounds, electrical fireplaces, gas fireplaces and solid fuel appliances. The surrounds include granite and limestone surrounds for the fireplace and the items are bulk. His display in Cloud Nine shop does not allow for any storage and when a person attends here and purchases one of his products he then directs them to his storage compound which is at the current location of this application. 

"Here a member of staff will drive to this location from Cloud Nine, open up the unit and get the forklift and load the purchaser with their products. This is onerous and is the cause of additional traffic movements to and from the site. The purpose of this application is to bring everything at one location. This would entail a commercial aspect to the storage business at this location which would include a display area for his stoves and fireplace surrounds."

They continued: "The retail aspect of this is very specific as they are not items that are required every day or in the everyday walk of life. The purpose of the display area is to keep stock updated on displays etc and to avoid additional traffic movements to and from retail to storage units."

Following the refusal by the council the applicant has now lodged his appeal with An Bord Pleanála. A decision is due to be made by the planning board by October 7, 2024.