Proposal for new children's play centre in Mayo town

A NEW indoor children's play centre is being proposed in Ballina.

A planning application for a change of use from bulky goods retail warehouse to an indoor family play centre for accompanied children, with an ancillary café and children’s party rooms, at Units 1 & 2, Bunree Retail Park, Bunree Road, Ballina, has come before Mayo County Council.

The deveopers are Só & Co. Play Ventures Limited.

The premises in question have never been fitted out and remain in core and shell condition, a submission to planners sets out.

The centre would cater for babies and children aged 0 to 10 in timed, booked sessions. Parents or guardians would remain on the premises throughout, so the use involves no childcare or drop-off element.

The café would serve visitors to the centre only, with no takeaway, separate entrance or separate opening hours. All play takes place indoors, and the party rooms would operate within the booked sessions.

The submission added: 'The proposal returns an unused unit to productive use within an established local centre, adds a family facility to the existing mix, creates local employment and places that facility within walking distance of the Greenhills housing and the school opposite.

'The applicant considers the proposal consistent with the zoning objective for the area and with the proper planning and sustainable development of Ballina.'