Douglas Lidl before Bord Pleanála again

DEVELOPMENT of a new Lidl store on the last greenfield site in Douglas will come before An Bord Pleanála for the second time.

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 field is in a conservation area.

After the Board overturned the decision of its own inspector, Lidl then submitted revised plans with a housing element built into the project.

The new plans are 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.

Cork County Council decided to grant conditional permission, subject to levies and charges, for the new plans in September.

This has now been appealed by four separate parties.

Local councillors Mary Rose Desmond (FF) and Eoghan Jeffers (SF) have argued that the area does not need another supermarket and amenity facilities would be more appropriate.

Ms Desmond said Douglas is already well served in terms of retail and she would prefer the site be used as an amenity with local sports clubs “crying out” for space.

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.