Mr.Price appeals council's refusal of shop permission

Westmeath County Council's decision to refuse planning permission for a Mr.Price shop at its distribution centre in Cornamaddy, Athlone, has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala.

A planning application lodged by Corajio, trading as Mr.Price, seeking to retain the change of use of a former wholesalers/warehouse building to a shop, was refused in late April.

Mr.Price lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala on May 24 and a decision is due by September 26.

It's the second time the discount retailer has been refused permission by the local authority. In 2021, Westmeath County Council also rejected an application to retain the change of use of the shop. In its refusal in April 2022, the council gave five reasons including stating that to permit the development as proposed would “compromise both the regeneration and rejuvenation of the defined Retail Core area and designated Retail Opportunity Sites of Athlone”

It said the proposed use with significant convenience retailing at this out-of-town centre location would, “constitute adhoc, piecemeal development” which would have an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of the entre area of Athlone.

The council argued that the development would “pose a risk to pedestrian, cyclist and traffic safety” and would be contrary to national policy on sustainable travel/

It said it would also “consolidate and intensify an existing unauthorised use/development”.

The council also raised concerns regarding the proposed illuminated window signage and advertising boardings and banners. The discount retailer had argued in the latest application lodged back in March that having the retail unit beside the company's national logistics hub was key to facilitating the expansion of the company's online store.

It also argued that records associated with the site from 1971 confirm the original planning permission for the factory remains unchanged and that the use of the factory includes use for deliveries by heavy vehicles, collection of finished product for distribution by staff of Irish Cable and Wire/Nexans.

Mr.Price also argued that the retail element was “small scale in nature and will not have any adverse retail impacts”.