Pressure increases over rejected Lidl development in Limerick

COUNCIL director general Dr Pat Daly has vowed to “do all I can” to resolve a planning issue that saw the rejection of proposals for a Lidl store in Abbeyfeale.

It comes after members were told they can no longer rezone land on its own to allow for development, with Cllr Liam Galvin saying: “In all the years I’ve been here, I’ve never seen this amount of frustration over a planning application being refused.”

The German discount retailer saw its bid to construct a new store at Killarney Road in the town turned down by council, a decision upheld on appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála. It was due to the fact the site is not zoned for retail.

WATCH: Limerick volunteer recognised for longstanding charity work

It was anticipated the development would bring 70 roles – both permanent and construction to a town left reeling from job losses at its main employer, automotive manufacturer Kostal.

The zoning of land – what it can be used for – is a crucial factor in determining whether a plan can or cannot proceed.

At this month’s local authority meeting, councillors Galvin and Francis Foley, also of Abbeyfeale, backed a motion calling for the land to be rezoned from its current designation enterprise and employment to retail.

It was hoped this would pave the way for a fresh application from Lidl, which would have more chance of being granted.

They were told by senior planner Maria Woods that the site in Killarney Road can no longer be rezoned in isolation.

“It would require a full review of the entire settlement, followed by a variation of the development plan to include the zoning and associated objectives for the town,” Ms Woods wrote.

She added due to changes in legislation, the development plan may not start to be prepared for another two years.

Cllr Foley said: “The likes of Lidl will not wait around for two years. They will move onto somewhere else. This is a matter of urgency and we need to get this over the line.”

“We need to pull out all the stops,” said Cllr Galvin. “Our town is closing due to lack of progress. They refused it because they want it in the town centre – where Fr Casey barely had room to salute us, never mind fit a Lidl store.”

Dr Daly said: “I will do all I can to try and solve this. I’ll take it away and look at it.”

He suggested this could mean the fast-tracking of some processes like the review and variation of Abbeyfeale’s development plan.

ADVERTISEMENT – CONTINUE READING BELOW

Tags: