Bid for Quay Street rooftop restaurant refused

Galway Bay fm newsroom – A second bid to create a rooftop restaurant on one of the city's best known pubs has been shot down. The City Council initially refused planning permission for the development on the flat roof of the Quays Bar at Quay Street, which is a protected structure. The decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála which has also refused to allow it go ahead. The development of a rooftop restaurant at Quay Street would have involved a new lift and stairs and an extension to the existing stairs adjacent to Druid Lane. The City Council refused the development saying it would be an over-development of the site. In an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, Fairleigh Limited argued that although the plot ratio would be ‘marginally' above the accepted level, exceptions can be made if the development would not injure the amenities of the area. They also argued that there would be no negative visual impact as the restaurant would not be seen from the street. However, An Bord Pleanála has ruled that it's not satisfied that the rooftop restaurant at Quay Street would not increase noise levels late into the evening.