Monksland supermarket plan rejected by An Bord Pleanála

A plan to develop a new supermarket and off-licence across from the Athlone Springs Hotel in Monksland has been refused permission by An Bord Pleanála.

In reaching the decision, the planning board went against a recommendation from one of its own inspectors, who submitted a report concluding that the supermarket should be given the go-ahead.

The development - which was referred to as "Lidl store, Athlone, Roscommon" in some of the drawings lodged with the planning application - was earmarked for a site next to Joe Duffy Motors, and not far from the existing Smith's SuperValu store.

The proposed single-storey retail facility was to span over 2,200 square metres, and, according to the applicant, it had the potential to create up to 40 new jobs.

Roscommon County Council turned down a planning bid for the development last November, and its decision was then appealed to the national planning authority by the applicant, MCS River Village Limited.

An Bord Pleanála's Inspector Darragh Ryan carried out an inspection of the proposed site in May, and in his report he argued that the supermarket would be in accordance with the overall development of the Monksland area.

However, in a decision which was signed off on Friday, July 26, An Bord Pleanála upheld the county council's decision to refuse planning permission.

Outlining its reasons for the refusal, it said the new store would be "contrary to policy objectives in the Roscommon County Development Plan 2022-2028," particularly with regard to "place-making, consolidation, and connectivity".

"The proposed layout is car-dominated, would lack a distinctive sense of place, and would not contribute to the consolidation of the built-up area," stated the planning board.

It added that the design of the building "at this prominent location" would not enhance its setting or add to the "vibrancy" of the Monksland area.

* For more, see next week's Westmeath Independent