FINGAL COUNTY COUNCIL has granted permission for a change of use of the Leisureplex unit in Blanchardstown to become an as yet unconfirmed retail unit.

The decision comes despite the objections of a number of local people, including one TD, who raised concerns about the potential loss to the community of a recreational space, especially for young people.

The Leisureplex chain consists of four locations across the Republic of Ireland and provides arcade and indoor gaming. It has tenpin bowling available across its locations with other activities including Q-Sar laser tag, pool tables and soft-play facilities for children.

The two-storey Leisureplex Blanchardstown facility is located across from the large Blanchardstown Centre shopping centre and retail park and is directly adjoining a number of food outlets.

Several objections to the planning change referenced the abundance of shopping facilities already in the area, with one objector saying that “Blanchardstown is already saturated with retail space”.

That same local objector said that the area was “critically underserved in terms of accessible, inclusive leisure and community facilities” and that approving the application would be contrary to local and national strategies to encourage active and healthy communities.

In her objection, local Fine Gael TD Emer Currie said that the Leisureplex has “served as a valued community amenity for many years particularly for young people and families.”.

Currie added in her letter to the council that the amenity “offers more than entertainment; it provides a welcoming environment where people of all ages and abilities can engage in physical activity and socialise together.”

Another objection to the change of use came from the Blanchardstown Junior Bowling Club, which said that it was “founded last year and has been working tirelessly to build its membership”.

Club chairperson Adrienne Dunne said the Leisureplex was a “prime venue for bowling tournaments” involving both national and international bowlers as well as “supporting the training and leisure activities” for their own members.

Application

The application to change the use of the building was made in March 2025 by International Investment ICAV Property Fund 2 and the permission was granted this week by Fingal.

The application details that the front exterior of the building is to remain largely unchanged but the side of the building, which looks out on a car park, is to get a new entrance and exit when it becomes a retail unit.

The application details that the internal layout is to remain the same on the ground floor and will be a single retail space rather than separate units.

Restaurant space that is attached to the building and is currently home to Starbucks and TGI Fridays are to remain unchanged.

While objections to the change raised concerns about the abundance of retail space in the area, a Retail Impact Assessment carried out on behalf of the applicant property fund said that the site “has been zoned as ‘shopping centre’ for some time”.

It added that the “proposed retail development is of a scale that assimilates” with its location and will provide “full and part-time employment positions” to the people of the area.