Seven-year planning saga comes to an end as Lidl secures permission for new Clare store

Retail giant Lidl has received planning permission for a €20 million mixed-use development on the outskirts of Ennis despite local concerns and objections.

The company plans to build a new supermarket, two retail units and 14 apartments on a 1.5 hectare site at the junction of Clare Road (R458) and Toberteascain Road, close to St Flannan's College.

The retailer first sought permission to develop the site in 2018 but this application was refused. The revised application, which has now been granted, was first submitted to Clare County Council in January 2022.

The local authority delayed its decision as it sought further information from Lidl in relation to the proposed development.

Planning permission was granted in February 2023 but this decision was subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanála which has  now granted permission, subject to conditions.

READ ALSO: Permission granted for housing development in Clare town despite local objections

In her report, which runs to more than 110 pages, planning inspector Claire McVeigh said she was satisfied the proposed development "complies with the zoning for the site".

Addressing concerns that the development of the new neighbourhood centre would adversely impact Ennis town centre, she commented: "It is considered that, subject to compliance with the conditions set out, the proposed development would not unduly affect the viability and vitality of Ennis Town centre".

Ms McVeigh added: "The subject site sits outside the core retail area and is located in a designated neighbourhood centre within the Clonroadmore Neighbourhood. The concept of neighbourhood centres in Ennis is stated as being fundamental to anchoring communities and meeting daily convenience shopping needs."

In its submission, RGDATA,  the representative association for independent family grocers in Ireland, expressed concerns about the "out of town" location for the development suggesting it would act as a counter location to the town centre. 

The organisation cited the vacancy rate in Ennis town centre and it expressed concerns that the new supermarket will attract shoppers and customers from outside of the immediate location, particularly given its proximity to the national and regional road network.

In addition to the supermarket, retail units and apartments, the new development will include a communal area for residents, a playground and a café with outdoor seating.

There will be 142 surface car parking spaces and 89 cycling spaces.

In granting permission for the development, An Bord Pleanála imposed a number of conditions. These include restrictions of the opening hours of the supermarket and requirement that the retail units not be used as a takeaway or fast-food premises.

The Board removed a condition imposed by Clare County Council requiring that a 'Special Development Contribution' of €325,000 be paid towards the 'modification and realignment' of the roundabout on the R458 to facilitate improvements and the installation of Active Travel measures.

A separate Special Development Contribution of €51,000 was reduced to €19,000 with Ms McVeigh stating, in her report, that she did not believe the original figure could be justified.

The €19,000 is to be paid in respect of additional traffic calming works on the L4636 Toberteascain Road to the east of the subject site, which benefits the proposed Lidl development.