A WICKLOW SCHOOL has been granted leave to seek a judicial review of a decision to grant planning permission to a McDonald’s restaurant near its front entrance.
Temple Carrig secondary school in Greystones says that the proposed fast-food outlet would be less than 100m from its entrance and 30m from the school grounds.
An appeal against the granting of the planning permission was rejected by AnBord Pleanála.
Temple Carrig argued in court today that the An Bord Pleanála decision did not take account of stated government policy to reduce obesity among children.
In an email to parents this afternoon, the school argued that that the decision taken by AnBord Pleanála was “legally flawed”:
The Board of Management has taken this step in light of its responsibilities under the Education Act to provide for the students of the school and on the basis of strong legal advice that the decision by An Bord Pleanala to grant permission for the proposed development was legally flawed.
The school itself is on a campus in Blacklion that also has two primary schools at the location, Gaelscoil nagCloch Liatha and Greystones Educate Together.
It’s therefore been estimated by campaigners that up to 1,800 students could be near the McDonald’s if it is completed.
The plan that’s been give the go-ahead would also see a gym located at the site as well as space for further commercial development.
Local politicians have also been objecting to the McDonald’s with Stephen Donnelly TD arguing that national guidelines for planning decisions should promote “healthy living patterns”
Those who’ve been campaigning for the ‘No Fry Zone’ near the school have also been asking the nearby Lidl store to object to the construction.
A Facebook group created by locals opposed to the plans claims that the plans would see the McDonald’s built in Lidl’s car park.
If the judicial appeal is favourable to the school, the appeal may have to be re-heard. If the planning permission is eventually rejected, McDonald’s may be able to apply again.
Because of this, campaigners are seeking a local amendment that would exclude any high-fat food outlets outside town centres from locating within 400m of schools.
Temple Carrig say they will be making no further public comment pending the outcome of the legal proceedings, but that they assure parents that money raised through voluntary contributions is ring-fenced for educational purposes and not used for legal expenses.
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