Council refuses permission for Lidl supermarket in Monksland

Roscommon County Council has refused permission for a new Lidl supermarket in the Monksland area of Athlone.

The council's planning department made the decision on Friday last.

At the time of writing, on Monday morning, the reasons for the refusal had not yet been published on the council's planning website.

In late May, Lidl Ireland had lodged the planning application for the new single-storey discount supermarket and off licence on a site immediately south of the Joe Duffy car sales showroom, and across the road from the Athlone Springs Hotel.

The planning application for the development also the provision of two smaller units, a café/restaurant and another retail unit, along with "plaza areas" between the Lidl store and the café/restaurant.

A significant public campaign was launched in support of Lidl's plans, on foot of a number of failed previous attempts for additional supermarkets in the area.

A public meeting in support of the application took place in Monksland Community Centre last month, while a large number of Oireachtas members and local councillors made submissions in favour of the proposal during the planning phase.

* More to follow