202, Rathmines Road Lower, Dublin 6
EXPP: Description of Existing Use & Planning Considerations: Four Face Coffee Shop, located in Rathmines, is currently operating, as e coffee shop where no food is prepared on-site. The business primarily serves coffee and other beverages, along with pre-prepared hot food that is heated but not cooked on the premises. There is no on-site food preparation or cooking, and no extraction or ventilation systems associated with hot food preparation are installed. The premises provide a small number of seats for customers to wait while their orders are being prepared, but there is no table service and seating is not arranged for a traditional sit- down dining experience. The core function of the business remains that of a coffee shop focused on takeaway service, with minimal impact on footfall, waste generation, or operational intensity beyond a standard coffee retail outlet. Given the nature of the business and its operations, we seek confirmation that the existing use of the premises does not constitute a material change of use requiring planning permission. Based on relevant planning precedents and guidance, a coffee shop offering takeaway beverages and pre-prepared hot food (without on-site cooking or table service) should be classified as an exempted development and not require a formal planning application for change of use. We kindly request a determination confirming that Four Face Coffee's current operations fall within an exempted category and do not require additional planning permission.