Proposal for new Lidl store in East Cork gets green light

A proposal for a new Lidl store in Carrigtwohill, one of East Cork’s fastest-growing towns, has been approved by Cork County Council planners.

Lidl Ireland GmbH had lodged plans for the 3,791sq m development, located along Castlelake Avenue on the Cork Rd, in October 2024.

At a height of four storeys, the development will incorporate a foodstore with a retail sales area, a bakery, and an off-licence, as well as public facilities, such as toilets and a deposit-return scheme machine, offices, and delivery and storage areas.

Last September, when the design application was revised, a number of mixed-use facilities were added to the plan, including a hair and beauty salon; toilets; a dry cleaner; a gym with treatment rooms; and a sauna with ice baths.

When proposing the revised element, a representative of Lidl Ireland said that the inclusion of non-retail facilities would “better address the need for a landmark building and associated public realm” in Carrigtwohill.

The plans further include provision for a covered trolley bay, 42 bicycle parking spaces, and a mix of 96 regular, disabled, and parent-and-child parking bays. 

CHARGING

The plan also makes provision for two electric-vehicle charging points.

Primary access to the development will be provided via a new public plaza, with entrances/exits to the left and right of the development onto Castlelake Avenue and the Cork Rd, with pedestrian-and-cycle access also provided from the south end of Castlelake Avenue and from the Cork Rd frontage.

Several objections to the development were lodged with council planners by local residents, addressing concerns relating to the size and scale of the development, one saying the “large, generic building” is “unsuitable” for the area, and that the revised plans were not “substantially different” from a previously refused application.

Cork County Council ultimately decided to approve the application, subject to 63 conditions.

Two conditions, in the interest of sustainable travel and orderly development, stipulate that the construction of the 3m-wide pedestrian/cycleway to the east of the development shall include a connection to the footpath along the L-3678 and that some sheltered bicycle parking shall be proposed and provided on the public plaza. Another condition stipulates that, in the interest of road safety and to protect the amenities of the area, during construction the developer shall provide adequate off-carriageway parking facilities for all traffic associated with the proposed development, including delivery and service vehicles and trucks.

A further condition stipulates that no parking will be permitted along the public road or footpath.