Lidl: "Plan named by council in Monksland store's refusal doesn't exist"

Lidl has claimed that a policy document which was mentioned by Roscommon County Council in its reasons for rejecting the retailer's proposed store in Monksland does not exist.

The startling claim was made in the supermarket chain's appeal against the council's controversial decision not to approve a planning bid for a Lidl store across the road from the Athlone Springs Hotel in Monksland.

Lidl Ireland's appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála makes the case that the current design of the proposed store has been significantly altered from a previous planning application that was refused by the council in 2023.

It argued that these changes, including a new public plaza and a reduction in the visual impact of car parking, were not sufficiently taken into account by the local authority when it refused permission.

It also raised a "procedural and legal issue" with regard to "Roscommon County Council's Smarter Travel Initiative" which was referenced in the second of the two reasons given by the local authority for rejecting the store plans.

The council's decision said the proposed Lidl outlet "would be dominated by vehicular access" and "would militate against the achievement of the principles set out in Roscommon County Council's 'Smarter Travel Initiative', which emphasises the prioritisation of pedestrian mobility and alternative modes of transport to the car".

Lidl, in its appeal, refers to the council's 'Smarter Travel Initiative" and says: "We requested a copy of this document to allow us to assess the noted 'principles'. No such document exists and the council did not clarify what the principles were they sought to rely upon.

"(An Coimisiún Pleanála) may wish to seek clarification on this matter from Roscommon County Council and the appellant wishes to comment on any response they provide."

The Westmeath Independent has contacted Roscommon County Council for comment but has not yet received a response.

The discount foodstore's appeal notes that, during the planning process, the council's transportation section had "raised no objection" to the plans for the development, nor had the Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

It referred to the 19 public submissions made on the proposal, highlighting how the majority of these were supportive of the project.

"The local people have spoken on this application and they are clear that it is required to improve choice and to reduce their need to travel across town to other shops for basic food shopping," said Lidl.

"The supporters of this project plainly state that it will reduce carbon emissions as they will not have to drive across town, in unpredictable traffic, to access similar food shopping offers to that proposed here."

In addition, the appeal cites examples of "other successful projects where a perimeter, mixed-use approach has been employed by Lidl Ireland" in Clonmel and in Bagenalstown, Carlow, where the projects were both approved by their respective county councils.

Lidl concluded that the planning refusal by Roscommon County Council treats the proposed store "as if it remained a generic, car-dominated supermarket in an isolated parking field," but that this was "not an accurate description" of the revised plans it submitted to the local authority in May.

In addition to Lidl’s appeal, a third party appeal has been lodged by two of the people who made submissions in support of the store during the planning process: Mark Francis and Samuel Norris.

At the time of writing, the appeal by Mr Francis and Mr Norris was not yet available for viewing online.

On Tuesday of this week, Lidl Ireland issued a press release thanking locals in Monksland for their support. Robert Ryan, CEO of Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: "We are deeply committed to opening a new, state-of-the-art store in Monksland to serve the growing needs of the wider Athlone community.

"While naturally we are disappointed by the initial planning decision, we have submitted a comprehensive appeal to ensure we can deliver our market-leading quality and value to local shoppers as soon as possible.

"We extend our sincere thanks to the community of Monksland for their overwhelming and ongoing support throughout our application. We’re committed to working diligently through the next stages of the planning process and welcoming local shoppers through our doors in due course."

An Coimisiún Pleanála is due to decide on Lidl's appeal by December 15.