The developer had planned a coffee unit on a busy road with no footpath
14:35, 19 Feb 2026Updated 14:35, 19 Feb 2026
Eldred Terrace, Douglas Road
Plans for a little coffee dock unit have been refused after an appeal, as it would cause a ‘traffic hazard’ on an already busy Cork road.
Cudegde Ltd applied to Cork City Council back in summer 2025 for a little ‘self contained’ unit selling coffee and refreshments at a site beside Eldred Terrace, a row of road-edge townhouses on Douglas Road. The site was described by the local authority as a “an unregulated parking area” used by residents of the terrace. There are no footpaths on the side of the road where the coffee dock was proposed and is often congested with traffic.
The developer appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála after the council’s decision to refuse permission. An Coimisiún Pleanála also refused permission last week.
The planning commission agreed with Cork City Council that the proposed development would “endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard” and that it would cause a “serious pedestrian and vehicular conflict” on the busy suburban street.
The Council found that the proposed development would “constitute a disorderly form of development which would have a negative visual impact on the residential character of the area.”
Local residents raised concerns relating to land ownership, access to adjoining lands, planning history of the area, noise, traffic safety, and a planned residential development on the adjoining site.
Cudegde Ltd appealed and said its concept was for a “pocket park” with customer seating and the coffee unit could be easily removed or amended if needed.
The Planning Officer said the use of the site for sale of takeaway coffee complies with the objective to provide for a range of small-scale local services and is acceptable. However, considered that the proposal was haphazard and temporary in nature and would be contrary to the pattern of development of the area and that it would have a negative impact on the visual amenities of the area.
The Douglas Road site is located between two signalised junctions and that the road is regularly congested and is on a bus route with no footpaths on the southern side of the road where the development is proposed. Concerns were raised over lack of car or cycle parking, and the inspector found it unclear whether any existing parking would be retained.
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