Objection throws plans for new supermarket development in Kilkenny town into doubt
Plans to build a new supermarket in the centre of a Kilkenny town are up in the air after an objection to the development was lodged with the national planning agency.
Last month German discount retailing giant Aldi was granted planning permission by Kilkenny County Council to build a new store in Castlecomer.
The planned store would be located on the site of the former creamery in the centre of of the town. If granted approval, the store would Aldi’s sixth supermarket in Kilkenny city and county.
However, these plans have no been thrown into doubt after an objection to the decision to grant planning permission for the development was lodged with An Bord Pleanála in recent days.
A complainant expressed concerns the impact the development will have on existing businesses in the town.
The applicant wants An Bord Pleanála to examine the connectivity of the development to the town and the impact it will have on traffic. They have also queried the lack of an open space within the development and the actual size of the proposed project.
As a result of the appeal, any plans to begin construction on the site have had to be shelved until at least the middle of the summer.
If granted permission, Aldi will bulid their new store on the the former Glanbia site, which has lain vacant for several years. The creamery’s historic three-storey mill building, a protected structure, will also be preserved and fully refurbished.
The 52,500 square feet development on the eight-acre site would create up to 100 jobs during the construction period, with a further 20 permanent positions being made available on the store’s opening.
There will be 229 car parking spaces available for customers within the overall development and a further four bicycle parking stations on site catering for up to 50 bikes. Aldi will also provide two free-to-use electric vehicle charging points outside the store.
The 1,315 sqm store will be constructed in Aldi’s award-winning Project Fresh design and will be powered by 100% green electricity.
An Bord Pleanála is expected to make a decision on the project by early July.
