Lidl is refused planning permission for a Douglas store for a second time

Lidl has been refused permission for a new supermarket in the centre of Douglas.

The planning application by the supermarket chain has been rejected for a second time by An Bord Pleanála.

Cork County Council gave the go-ahead last year for a new supermarket to be located at Barry's Field along with five two-bed apartments, offices and a cafe and almost 100 parking spaces, 30 bicycle spaces and 10 motorbike spaces.

However, An Bord Pleanála yesterday overturned this decision citing a number of reasons including that the development would be “visually dominant and out of character” with the surrounding area and would negatively affect other applications in “adjoining lands.” 

The project would also be “contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.” 

Local Sinn Féin Councillor Eoghan Jeffers said he is heartened by the “sensible decision” to reject the planning application for the prominent site between Carrigaline Road and Churchyard Lane in the heart of Douglas village.

“There was a number of objections in the community and this is one of the last pieces of land, centrally located, in Douglas.” 

Mr Jeffers said that he was also delighted that the taxi-rank on the Carrigaline road, in front of the site, was safe, something that had been in doubt with the Lidl development planning application.

He said he felt the Douglas area had lost some of its character in recent years and what this plot needed was community centred facilities.

“I would welcome a park or a skate park in that area,” Mr Jeffers said. “However if further commercial development was favoured for the site, I would be looking for a mixed-use building that had a more balanced scale.” 

Local Labour Party representative Peter Horgan said the rejection of the planning application was a “great result” for those who fought against the supermarket proposal in Douglas Village. 

Mr Horgan said that he hoped that with the area moving into the city, there would be a new opportunity for the city council to make their mark on Douglas with an innovative plan for the site.