Lidl appeals planning refusal for new Dublin Road store

Lidl Ireland has appealed the decision by Westmeath County Council to refuse planning permission for its proposed new €10 million store on the Dublin Road in Athlone.

The development, which was earmarked by the supermarket chain as a replacement for its existing Dublin Road store, was turned down by the council in June on the basis that it was located outside Athlone's core retail area.

In the days following the planning verdict, a spokesperson for Lidl told the Westmeath Independent that it was "disappointed" with the outcome and would be reviewing the matter internally.

On July 21, Lidl lodged an appeal against the decision with An Bord Pleanála, which is due to adjudicate on the matter by November.

The initial planning application was for a 2,494 square metre Lidl branch that was due to be located across from its current premises on the site of the Colm Quinn Motorstore.

The company said its "substantial €10 million investment" in the store would result in ten additional jobs, on top of its 35 staff already employed in Athlone, and would create 80 jobs during the construction stage.

In outlining its reasons for refusing permission, Westmeath County Council cited the 'out of town' location of the proposed store, as well as the potential traffic it could generate

"The siting of a supermarket on this prominent site would constitute ad-hoc, piecemeal development at an out-of-town location," said the local authority.

It said the store "would give rise to unsustainable traffic movements, which is contrary to national and local policy on active travel."

The refusal of planning permission in June came after Lidl had seen its plans for a second Athlone store, in Baylough, turned down by An Bord Pleanála in April.

An Bord Pleanála's decision on the planning appeal for the Dublin Road development is expected by November 23 next.