Limerick Council tight-lipped on Lidl rezoning
Discount retailer blocked from building at site over zoning rules
LIMERICK City and County Council has declined to say if it will propose rezoning a site in Abbeyfeale where a Lidl store was planned.
It comes as it launches a review into why An Coimisiún Pleanála backed the local authority’s own decision to refuse planning permission for a branch of the retailer in the town.
The German discount retailer saw its bid to construct a new store at the former Sheehy’s Hardware site at Killarney Road turned down by planners in Limerick, a decision upheld on appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
It was due to the fact the site is not zoned for retail.
The move sparked dismay, given around 70 jobs may have been created as a result.
Since then, there's been a push to change the development plan in the town, which effectively governs what kind of buildings can go where in an area.
For its part, Lidl said in the wake of the planning refusal that it remained committed to "proactive engagement” with the council regarding a new store in Abbeyfeale.
"We hope to bring Lidl's market-leading quality and value to shoppers in the community as soon as possible," a spokesperson added.
A new zoning map for Abbeyfeale is expected to be published early next year – but the local authority have stopped short of saying whether it will propose the rezoning of parcels of land to allow for retail like Lidl to open in the town.
At this month’s local authority meeting, Fine Gael councillor Liam Galvin sought a progress report on the proposed rezoning.
In a written answer, senior planner Maria Woods said there are studies taking place at the Sheehy’s site.
"These include a review of the previous An Coimisiún Pleanála refusal, the relevant retail strategy context and the Department’s retail planning guidelines. Should the Sheehy site be considered for rezoning, a robust planning argument and justification will be required to support any proposed change,” she added.
Cllr Galvin expressed frustration with the amount of time any rezoning would take. He described what happened with the supermarket refusal as being “outlandish”.
"The issue I have is how long it takes. I do think there should be a simpler method of doing this. The six area councillors representing the municipal district of Newcastle West should be able to go and make a proposal to the full council that we want to rezone the site. It should be voted through at the full council meeting,” he said.
"What is happening is people in Abbeyfeale and surrounding villages are taking their business elsewhere to where they can get to a Lidl or Aldi. This is the problem we have,” added Cllr Galvin.