Disputed Lidl store gets go-ahead in Douglas

CONDITIONAL permission has been granted for a Lidl store on the last greenfield site left in Douglas Village, despite a number of objections.

Cork County Council is to allow the discount supermarket multinational to build the store with a housing element built in to satisfy the Local Area Plan.

A number of local businesses objected but the local authority had decided it can go ahead. Planning permission was initially granted for a Lidl store at Barry’s Field but was overturned by An Bord Pleanála in March after a number of objections were submitted, including one from Tesco.

The company then submitted revised plans for a store spanning 2.251 square metres and 1,351 square metres comprising of the mixed-use element — containing five two-bed apartments, offices and a cafe — along with almost 100 parking spaces and room for 30 bicycles and 10 motorbikes.

The two-acre site is between the Carrigaline Road and Church Yard Lane. The latest plan is aimed at complying with Cork County Council’s Local Area Plan which says the site should be used for “mixed-use” purposes. Councillor Mary Rose Desmond said the last thing Douglas needs is a new supermarket. “I am very disappointed Cork County Council doesn’t have more vision for the site but we are caught in the fact that it is privately owned.”

Labour representative Peter Horgan feels County Hall should not have made a decision as the area is set to be subsumed into the city in May of 2019.

“I’m disappointed that the local authority, which is relinquishing responsibility for the Douglas area in less than nine months, granted permission for this site. Douglas is oversubscribed with multi-national retail outlets.

“The people of Douglas and surrounding areas deserve better than their concerns being fobbed off by the council,” he added.