Appeal lodged in bid to revive Golden Island shopping project

Backers of ambitious plans for another major shopping project in the Golden Island area of Athlone, rejected by the council last month, have launched an appeal to An Bord Pleanála in a bid to revive the project. Locally-owned Tiane Ltd, part of the Diskin group of companies, submitted the appeal to the board on April 11 last in an effort to overturn the refusal verdict from Athlone Town Council back in mid-March. The company believes the retail and office development, larger than the current Golden Island Shopping Centre at 18,689 square metres has the potential to create hundreds of new jobs. The stalled mixed use development, earmarked for the junction of the Golden Island Road and the Carrickobrien Road contains plans for a huge 6,000 square metre retail anchor store, thought likely to be aimed at either a UK-based or international company seeking to enter the region or an existing business wishing to expand its floor space. Last month, the local authority cited the high flood risk associated with the site as one of the reasons for turning down the development, along with the impact of the development on the adjacent River Al watercourse given that it would be realigned and widened under the proposals. It also considered that the development being away from the town centre would "harm the vitality and vibrancy of the retail core of Athlone" the decision documents stated, adding that additional traffic from the development would create a potential traffic hazard. The council was also unhappy with the size, design, scale and bulk of the retail project. The proposals comprised the demolition of the existing warehouse units located to the north of the site, the original buildings in the development, and the construction of the mixed use development with a gross floor area of 18,689 square metres. Arranged in four blocks, the project would range in height from two to four storeys reaching a peak building height of 21.6 metres. Another 1,570 square metres of retail space spanning at least ten units, a gymnasium split over three levels, a medical centre, over 3,850 square metres of office space and a number of cafes is also earmarked for the massive project. The new commercial building to the east of the site, opposite Aldi, would be retained. An Bord Pleanála is due to give a verdict on the appeal case by August 14 next.