Plans for large new supermarket development in Kilkenny town inch closer

Plans for a large new supermarket in a county Kilkenny town on the site of a former creamery are back on track after the developer provided the local authority with further details on the project.

German supermarket giant Aldi’s plans to build a new store on the site of the former Glanbia creamery in the centre of Castlecomer were delayed when Kilkenny County Council voiced some concerns over the plans.

The council went back to the developers of the store working on behalf of Aldi, Greenstripe Limited late last year with further follow-up queries in relation to the project.

These included the conservation of some of the buildings on the site, the materials being used to build the supermarket and some environmental queries including a tree and bat survey. Traffic related queries and site drainage were also among 14 specific areas the council wanted further information on.

Greenstripe has since reverted to the council with a detailed response to their queries and now awaiting the local authority’s ruling on whether or not the project can proceed.

The construction of the Castlecomer store is part of a massive €160 million investment Aldi is making in its Irish store network and it was hoped the new supermarket would open in 2022. If given the go-ahead, it will be Aldi’s sixth store in Kilkenny city and county.

The entire planning application is for a 52,500 square feet development on the eight-acre site in the town centre. It is expected 100 jobs would be created during the construction period and a further 20 permanent positions made once the store is opened.

The 1,315 sqm store will be powered by 100% green electricity, and 229 car parking spaces will be created for customers.

The council is expected to announce its decision on whether or not the development will proceed before the end of next month.