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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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The Form premises was built in the 1930s | PICTURE: Google Streetview
An Bord Pleanála has overturned the decision of Waterford City and County Council to refuse planning permission for the development of a new amusements arcade and gaming area at a former cinema and theatre.
Coherent Enterprises Ltd is proposing to carry out works at The Forum which is located at The Glen on the outskirts of the city centre.
The development will see the existing restaurant kitchen being replaced with a commercial kitchen and the installation of amusements and a gaming area on what is currently the main restaurant floor.
The development will see the existing restaurant kitchen being replaced with commercial kitchen and the installation of amusements and a gaming area on what is currently the main restaurant floor.
In its submission to An Bord Pleanála, the company says the premises, which was developed in 1937, first operated as a cinema and has been an 'entertainment' venue ever since and that this will continue to be the case.
The premises was also previously operated as a theatre and is now a licenced restaurant with a bingo hall on the first floor and associated offices, studios and bar area.
In a report for An Bord Pleanála, planning inspector Stephen Rhys Thomas noted the premises "falls well outside" the core
retail area of Waterford city.
"The appeal site has been the centre of evening and entertainment uses for nearly a hundred years and arguably underpins a variety of activities and uses at this location of the city centre," he commented.
READ ALSO: Plans for new Decathlon store in Waterford in doubt following An Bord Pleanála decision
Recommending that permission be granted, Mr Thomas said he is satisfied the development "would not detract from the visual amenity of the area, and would not seriously injure the residential amenity of surrounding properties and would not endanger public safety or convenience by reason of traffic generation or otherwise."
In granting permission for the development, An Bord Pleanála imposed a number of conditions including that noise levels do not exceed 55 dB(A).
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