An Bord Pleanala Turns Down Aldi Store In Shannon For Second Time

Aldi Nuneaton Store. 14th September 2017. Picture by Simon Hadley. Simon Hadley Photography. 07774 193699 [email protected] www.simonhadley.co.uk

German discount retailer, Aldi has failed for a second time to secure planning permission for a new outlet in Shannon.

This follows An Bord Pleanala refusing planning permission to a new Aldi store on the Airport Rd in Shannon on a site located directly north and opposite the Sky Court Shopping Centre.

In a setback to its national store expansion plan, the refusal by the appeals board upholds a decision by Clare County Council which refused planning permission in April 2021.

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It is the second time that Aldi Stores (Ireland) Ltd has failed to secure planning permission for a store at the location.

In July 2018, the appeals board refused planning permission to Aldi for a discount store at the same site.

Now, in refusing planning permission to the new plan, the appeals board has concluded that the scheme fails to provide a satisfactory level of urban design and street frontage, height, presence and definition at the prominent urban street location on lands.

The board stated that “furthermore, the proposed development would not provide a strong relationship and linkages to its site context and adjoining areas, including the adjacent future civic park directly east of the application site”.

The board inspector in the case, Adrian Ormsby recommended that planning permission be refused on two grounds.

Mr Ormsby also recommended that planning permission be refused after concluding that the proposed development would undermine the delivery of the Limerick-Shannon Metropolitan Area Strategic Plan which seeks the redevelopment of Shannon Town Centre through the delivery of an Action Area Plan.

Mr Ormsby stated: “Consequently the proposed development is considered premature pending the formal adoption of the Shannon Town Centre Masterplan. Therefore, the proposed development is considered contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

Only one third party submission was received when the plan was before Clare County Council.

On behalf of the Skycourt Management Company, Brendan McGrath and Associates Planning Consultants contended that an expansion of the town centre to the north of An Bothar Mór is premature.

Mr McGrath claimed that the proposal would seriously injure the visual amenity of the town centre and pointed out that ambitious plans for a greatly expanded town centre have floundered because of stagnant urban growth.

In its appeal, Aldi pointed out that the application has been the only significant retail application in the Town Centre since the previous application was lodged in 2018.

The appeal stated that this highlights the difficulties in securing meaningful retail investment in the area.

Aldi also stated that it has prepared its own Masterplan for the designated future town centre area which is included with the appeal.

The retailer stated that the proposal is envisaged as the first phase of development within their Masterplan area and will act as a catalyst for future development within these lands.

Aldi argued that the proposal is the most appropriate for the site given that it is the most sequentially favourable site in the context of the existing Town Centre.

Commenting, Colin Breslin, Regional Managing Director, ALDI Ireland, said:

“ALDI Ireland is extremely disappointed at the decision by An Bord Pleanála to refuse planning permission for our proposed new store in Shannon.

“This application has been six years in the making and we have gone to considerable lengths to meet all that was asked of us by planners and others.

“The cost-of-living crisis is impacting every household and we are very aware what it means for our customers. Being able to offer our customers the best value at locations most convenient to them matters more than ever.

“Against this backdrop, the decision of An Bord Pleanála is particularly disappointing.

“ALDI delivers unbeatable value in the towns and communities in which we operate and creates employment to support the local economy. This regrettable decision means that the people of Shannon will continue to pay more for their weekly shopping and will miss out on all of the employment this project would have created – both in the construction phase and permanent in store roles thereafter.

“The more than 1,000 local residents who signed an online petition in support of the new store, and the local councillors who universally backed the project, recognised the value that a new ALDI store could bring to their community.

“ALDI’s commitment to further embedding and expanding our value offering has never been more relevant and remains our key business priority. Last month, we announced a further €63 million investment in new stores in the West of Ireland, creating jobs and doubling-down on our commitment to providing access to the best value groceries in Ireland right across the region.

“We will be reviewing this decision by An Bord Pleanála carefully, as it is really unfortunate news for the people of Shannon, Clare and the entire mid-West.”