TWO appeals against the granting of planning permission for a controversial casino/arcade in Bandon have been lodged to An Coimisiún Pleanála, just weeks after the applicant announced his intention to withdraw his application, writes Kieran O’Mahony.

Leeside Leisure Centre Ltd was granted planning permission by Cork County Council last month to change the use of the ground floor of the former Stables Bar at 1 Oliver Plunkett Street to a gaming and amusement arcade complex, despite opposition from locals and various groups in the town.

However, following a large protest in the town which saw over 400 people attend, the director of Leeside Leisure Centre Ltd contacted former Councillor Sean O’Donovan and Adrian Lenihan of Recovery Coach to inform them that he was withdrawing their application.

Speaking previously to The Southern Star, Adrian said that the director had been very upset about the uproar over the planned casino and was wanted to pull out of the development.

The company said the decision had not been ‘taken lightly’ but they believe it is the right one for all concerned parties and they had not expected such a strong reaction to their planning proposal.

The Parents Association of Gaelscoil Dhroichead na Banndan and Sean O’Donovan both lodged appeals to An Coimisiún Pleanála over the granting of planning permission to Leeside Leisure Centre Ltd, with a decision date expected to be by the end of January next year.

However, it is understood that once the appeals are lodged, the director of Leeside Leisure Centre Ltd will then pull out of the development formally.