Carrick-on-Suir Pub Extension Approved Despite Resident Noise Concerns

Plans to significantly expand a pub in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary, have been given the go-ahead by An Coimisiún Pleanála, Ireland’s planning appeals board, despite local objections. The contentious redevelopment of The Auld Rogue pub on Kickham Street will see the construction of a three-story extension, effectively creating what some residents have termed a “super pub” in a residential area. The decision, made on February 23, 2026, follows an initial grant of planning permission by Tipperary County Council last year, which was then appealed by nearby residents.

Expansion Details and Resident Concerns

JSF Property Holding Ltd, a Carrick-on-Suir based building contractor, originally applied to Tipperary County Council for permission to overhaul The Auld Rogue. The plans encompass not only the three-story extension but also internal renovations, demolition of existing rear structures and the creation of new facilities. The extension itself is designed to house bars, a lounge, a terrace, toilets, a cold room, and storage on the ground floor. A function room with additional facilities will occupy the first floor, while the top floor will accommodate two three-bedroom apartments and office space.

Residents living in the Pearse Square area voiced strong opposition, primarily centered around concerns about increased noise levels. JP Keevan, representing the residents, highlighted the existing “ongoing public noise nuisance” emanating from the pub and argued that the extension would exacerbate the problem. Their appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála specifically requested “permanent, foolproof and future-proof solutions” such as prohibiting outdoor activities and ensuring noise-generating events take place in soundproofed rooms. Concerns were also raised about potential overlooking from a proposed first-floor terrace and the loss of a green space, described as the only such area in Pearse Square.

Planning Appeal and Conditions

The case reached An Coimisiún Pleanála as appeal case reference PL92.500072, linked to Tipperary County Council’s case reference 2560268. Despite the objections, the planning appeals board ultimately upheld the council’s decision to grant permission, but with 16 conditions attached. These conditions aim to mitigate the concerns raised by residents.

Crucially, An Coimisiún Pleanála stipulated that no music can be played in any outdoor areas and that these areas must close by 11 pm each night. Further conditions address potential disruption during construction, requiring the developer to repair any damage to public footpaths. Access to the function room is also restricted to Kickham Street, preventing use of the adjacent Town Wall Street, likely to minimize disturbance to other residential areas. You can find details of the original planning case submission to Tipperary County Council on the An Coimisiún Pleanála website.

JSF Property Holding and Local Development

The development is being undertaken by JSF Property Holding Ltd, a local firm involved in both public and private construction projects throughout Ireland. The company also has ongoing housing projects in the region, including Lakeview, a development of 41 houses near Carrick-on-Suir, as detailed on their website JSF Homes. Permission was also recently granted for 50 new homes to be built in Tipperary, as reported by TipperaryLive.ie, indicating a period of housing and commercial development in the county.

The Role of An Coimisiún Pleanála

An Coimisiún Pleanála serves as an independent body responsible for making decisions on planning appeals in Ireland. The organization reviews cases where applicants or third parties disagree with decisions made by local planning authorities, such as Tipperary County Council. The board’s decisions are binding, and its role is to ensure that planning decisions are made in accordance with national and regional planning policies. The case details, including the inspector’s report and the final order, are publicly available on the An Coimisiún Pleanála website for case 500072.

The approval of the Auld Rogue redevelopment, even with conditions, highlights the ongoing tension between commercial development and the preservation of residential quality of life. While the conditions imposed by An Coimisiún Pleanála attempt to address the concerns of local residents, the long-term impact of the expanded pub on the Pearse Square area remains to be seen. The next steps will involve JSF Property Holding Ltd commencing construction, adhering to the stipulated conditions, and potentially engaging with the community to address any further concerns that may arise during the building process.