An Bord Pleanála has given a European supermarket giant the green light for a second store in Ennis.
The decision brings a near seven year planning saga to an end.
The development itself will involve the demolition of five premises namely the old Michael Lynch Building Contractors facility and three derelict residential units on lands at the junction of the R458 Clare Road and Toberteascáin Road.
This will pave the way for a single storey discount food and off licence with roof mounted solar panels, a three storey building with 14 apartments and two ground floor retail units and another three storey with six apartments, a residents communal area, a playground and café with outdoor seating.
There will also be 142 parking spaces , including 20 designated EV bays and 89 cycling spaces.
Lidl has also entered a Part V planning agreement with the council meaning 10% of the 1.5 hectare site will become either social or affordable housing.
This version of the application was first submitted over three years ago in January 2022, but there have been numerous bumps in the road since.
It was delayed firstly when Clare County Council sought further information ,and then after permission was granted the decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
The Retail Grocery Dairy Allied Trades Association (RGDATA) brought the appeal citing that the development “would draw a much wider customer base and would therefore have a much greater retail impact on surviving shops operating in the town centre.”
It also claimed the application “completely disregarded” high levels of vacancy within the town.
An Bord Pleanála however upheld Clare County Council’s decision subject to 28 conditions.
According to Lidl, the development will involve a €20m investment creating 30 permanent jobs and 100 during construction.
Lidl’s first attempt at securing planning for this project was overturned by An Bord Pleanála in 2019.
The appellant can still attempt to initiate a judicial review.
