Planning row between Kildare Town takeaways

A FOOD fight has broken out in Kildare town after the county council granted permission to a take-away to keep its €80,000 renovations, despite four chippy rivals joining forces branding it “illegal”.

The four allies – Zokmo and 5-Star Pizza on the Dublin Road, Mizzoni’s on Station Road, and Macari’s on Claregate Street –  have protested against Bella’s Take-away on Nugent Street, with the latter having already appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála (ABP).

The proprietor of Bella’s Valdrim Lubishtani – who actually had his first job in Macari’s – had originally applied for retention of his changes from the premise’s previous retail existence in May 2024.

He was turned down in July on the grounds that the County Development Plan sought “to prevent excessive concentration of non-desirable uses in the town centre”.

Undeterred he re-applied in November and was granted his permission on 27 February.

However, within a month, Macari’s had lodged their objection with ABP under the professional hand of Newbridge-based planning consultant Derek Whyte.

“This (planning application) was made when the applicant enforcement proceedings are in place,” said Mr Whyte in his submission to the council on the matter, referring to the order issued by the council — though significantly, not acted on — in relation to development without permission.

“This is a flagrant disregard for planning and an absolute lack of respect for the planning authority,” said Mr Whyte.

“The applicant (Mr Lubishtani) is attempting to delay the closing of an illegal take-away when he is legally required to have done so by now,” he added.

“The addition of an unwanted and unnecessary additional traditional chipper in an area that has a dense number of hot food take-aways is the issue,” he said.

“The applicant willingly and knowingly opened an illegal takeaway with no regard for existing businesses, and has continued to trade despite enforcement action,” he said.

Local support

He noted that the applicant claims that other chippers in the locality are also unauthorized developments “but has not lodged any files on these”, and pointed out there are 10 other such businesses within 150m.

This held little sway with Kildare planners, who gave the nod on 21 February, only to see the decision formally challenged to ABP on 21 March, and a decision is due before the end of July.

“There’s a lot of support for Bella’s in town, and we need more hospitality in this growing tourist town,” said local cllr Suzanne Doyle.

“It’s unfortunate the business community can’t be supportive of each other, and this isn’t the way to do business,” she said.

“Macari’s have places in town … and at the end of the day this fellow is just trying to run a business, and I’d far prefer to see that than an empty space.

"It’s disappointing to see this happen in the town. We welcomed the success of Macari’s in town, and everyone should have the same opportunity.”