City Council queries plan for 24-hour laundromat

Plans for a 24-hour ‘laundromat’ in the forecourt of a city filling station have been lodged with Galway City Council.

Topaz Energy has sought permission for a ‘Revolution Laundrette’ with two automatic washing machines and one dryer on the forecourt of the filling station at Newcastle.

The three machines will be located by parking spaces adjacent to the existing air and water services area, alongside Quincentenary Bridge.

The automated laundrette will charge €4 for an 8kg wash; €8 for an 18kg wash and from €2 for the dryer and will be capable of handling heavy loads such as duvets and curtains.

“The facilities are suitable for those who do not have washer and dryer facilities in their homes and for bulky items which are not suitable or possible to wash in a conventional washer dryer.

“The facilities use high performance industrial equipment providing washing machine and dryer services. The facilities are self-service and there is no staff presence on site,” the application reads.

The service will be operated by Photo-Me International, which operates photo booths, digital printing kiosks and children’s rides.

However, planners have sought information on how the proposal will affect traffic, parking and water usage.

The Council has asked if the laundromat is likely to generate additional traffic or parking; the length of time for the different washing and drying cycles and whether the units are securely locked “so that someone is not required to wait around in a car parking space for the programme to finish”.

The applicants were also told to liaise with Irish Water on details of the volumes of water usage and discharge. Last March, Topaz sought permission to retain a mobile Mexican take-away at the same location which had been operating for several months at that stage, telling the Council that matters of antisocial behaviour did not concern the local authority; instead, they were a policing matter.

The following month, the Council told Topaz to liaise with the Chief Fire Officer on how the application did not address compliance with Dangerous Substances Regulations.

The local authority also pointed out that the drawings did not show an outside seating area which was in use, and to confirm if sanitary and toilet facilities were in place for staff and customers.

The Council also sought clarification on the opening hours of the filling station and of the ‘Cantina’ take-away.

That planning application was deemed withdrawn as Topaz did not furnish further information within the statutory six-month reply period.