An Bord Pleanála has given the go-ahead to McDonald's to build a drive-through fast-food restaurant in Ennis, Co Clare.
It dismissed concerns yesterday over possible health repercussions the outlet may have on Ennis's young population.
Last year, the plan by McDonald's for the 90-seater restaurant raised questions about the impact on health, with two dieticians from the Mid-Western Health Board's health promotion unit lodging an objection. They asked that McDonald's carry out an environmental health statement into the possible health impacts on the local population before the application was considered.
However, the health board distanced itself from the objection, stating that it was a "personal statement" by the dieticians.
Earlier this year, Ennis Town Council granted planning permission for the proposal. The decision was appealed to the board by Green Party councillors Brian Meaney and Donal Ó Bearra.
The restaurant will not open until April 2007, when the €190 million Ennis bypass opens.
One of 17 conditions attached to the planning permission states that in the interests of traffic safety, the restaurant shall not be opened until written confirmation of the operation of the bypass is provided.
