‘Some residents will still be asleep at 7.30am' – TD Paul Murphy objects to extension of NCT centre's opening hours
The revised times would allow the centre begin work at 7.30am Monday to Friday, and finish at between 11pm and 11.30pm three days a week.
Mr Murphy, who represents the Dublin South-West constituency, raised concerns on behalf of 17 residents in an estate behind the centre.
'This has been an ongoing issue over many years because the back of the Applus building is literally 50 metres from the back of residents' homes and there is significant noise pollution during the operating hours,' he claimed.
'The proposed new opening hours represent a very big increase in hours open, in particular at unsocial times, and would be very disturbing to residents.
'While the centre currently has the right to open from 8am Monday to Saturday, the new proposal is that from Monday to Friday, it will open from 7.30am when some of our residents will still be asleep.
'The noise is loudest and most disturbing in the upstairs rooms, which is where the bedrooms are located. If these late night hours are granted, it will significantly impact the ability of residents to relax in the evenings in their own homes as well as sleep'.
Under its current permitted hours, the centre opens at 8am Monday to Saturday. It closes at 6pm three days a week, and 8pm three days a week.
The new proposal would let the centre open until 5.30pm on Monday, 11.30pm on Tuesday, 11pm on Wednesday and Thursday, 9pm on Friday and 7.30pm on Saturday.
Despite the objection, South Dublin County Council (SDCC) granted permission, but with certain conditions.
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It said the maximum operating hours would be from 7.30am to 9pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to 7.30pm on Saturday.
If the increased opening hours are granted, it will significantly interfere with normal sleep
Following the granting of permission, Mr Murphy has now submitted a third-party appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála, formerly An Bord Pleanála.
In his appeal to the planning authority, he claimed the centre is 'around 15 metres' from residents' homes.
'If the increased opening hours are granted, it will significantly interfere with normal sleep and rest patterns and when residents could reasonably expect a level of quietness,' he said.
He also complained of 'substantial' noise pollution including cars revving, horns beeping, music playing and 'people shouting loudly at each other'.
A decision is expected by November 11.
Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the NCT system experienced a significant backlog. Centres were also hit by weather-enforced closures in January during Storm Éowyn.
Data released by the Department of Transport in May said the national average wait time for an NCT is up to 17 days higher than the target.
The Irish Independent contacted Mr Murphy and Applus for comment.
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