*Photograph: Joe Buckley
LIDL have been granted planning permission for a new store in Sixmilebridge.
Clare County Council had previously requested further information for the development on Main Street.
Last June, the German supermarket chain applied for “the construction of a single storey, discount foodstore with an ancillary off licence sales area and a gross floor area of 2,290sqms (1,499sqms net sales area). Construction of surface level car parking spaces, including electrical vehicle (EV) charging spaces”.
Also included in the plans were wiring for other spaces to make them EV accessible, roof mounted solar panels and a flagpole advertising sign at the entrance.
The development has received a number of objections, including from local retailer Flora Crowe. The retailer referenced the County Development Plan in her submission. “The proposed development, with a footprint of 24,650 sq ft, significantly exceeds the scale suitable for a town of Sixmilebridge’s size, which has a population of approximately 2,800. Approving the proposed Lidl would undermine the balanced and sustainable development objective by introducing a disproportionately large retail space”.
Former Clare hurling manager and Sixmilebridge parish priest Fr. Harry Bohan also objected to the proposed development. The Feakle native stated that “During COVID we appreciated the importance of neighbourhood. It included the value of the local shops. Sixmilebridge is changing fast, probably too fast. Our local, human, social values are threatened. Are The Bridge people not well enough serviced by discount stores in the surrounding area,” he questioned.
Further challenges were experienced when further information was sought by the Council. Boundary issues also hampered the development initially as it was found to be in close proximity to three protected structures and the site’s boundaries were not clearly defined to the planning department.
Lidl have been successful in their application however as they stated they plan to replace their existing store in Shannon with a larger outlet, thereby reducing pressure on the Sixmilebridge store and other local businesses.
The supermarket chain stated that it would cooperate with Crowe’s stores in the town and that “this provides the ideal opportunity for other complementary businesses to grow, feeding off the footfall generated by the two stores. The two shops together with their compact but diverse and differing offers will give residents a much better range of goods to choose from, locally”.
Construction of the new store can now begin.
