Listen: Baltinglass Residents Confused And Angry Following Council's Rejection Of Lidl Supermarket Proposal

Wednesday, 6 March 2024 11:49

By Martin Osborne

Thousands of locals, who are part of a Facebook Group, have vowed to make it an issue in the upcoming local elections.

Locals in Baltinglass have taken to social media to vent their frustration and confusion after plans for a Lidl supermarket were rejected.

Lodged in February 2023, Lidl’s plans in Baltinglass, on a site at Parkmore House in Weaver’s Square, proposed the construction of a single-storey supermarket.

On Thursday, Wicklow County Council dismissed the application, citing that the proposed development's location falls under the zoning category 'TC – Town Centre'.

A planner from the council emphasised the importance of utilising land zoned for town center efficiently and for suitable development purposes.

The planner expressed reservations, emphasising concerns about the development's single-storey scale and its limited footprint in relation to the site area.

Additionally, they pointed out the lack of justification for the proposed level of car parking and the allocation of land and site frontage for the entrance area.

The planner concluded that the proposed development doesn't optimise the town center zoned lands efficiently. They believe it wouldn't achieve a compact, high-quality form of development, thereby conflicting with the objectives outlined in the County Development Plan (2022-2028) and impeding the area's proper planning and sustainable development.

It is hoped that Lidl will appeal the Council's decision to An Bord Pleanála.

However, a local Cllr said that could take up to twelve months.

Thousands of locals, who are part of a Facebook Group, have vowed to make it an issue in the upcoming local elections.

Local Cllr Gerry O Neill told Kfm that hundreds of locals have to travel further afield for their weekly shop.

He said they are extremely angry about the decision.

Listen to the full interview.