*Photograph: Joe Buckley
PLANNING PERMISSION has been lodged for a new Lidl store in Ennistymon.
Lidl are looking to build a two-storey foodstore on the Lahinch Rd in Ennistymon which would be the third supermarket in the North Clare town which already has SuperValu and Aldi outlets.
According to the planning application, the proposed development will consist of “the construction of a discount 2-storey foodstore (to include off-license use) comprising a glass floor area of 2261.4 sqm, incorporating an internal plant room, storage area, chiller room, ancillary office area and staff rooms”.
The potential development is to be located beside the new Ennistymon community school, across the river from the Falls Hotel. The two storey building will feature a large boundary wall as well as 87 car parking spaces. The drawings of the plans include a large number of PV solar panels to be installed on the building’s roof, covering over 907 square metres. The land on which the site is located on is owned by Joe Scales.
An environmental impact statement included with the plans raises concerns over potential light pollution. The statement questions the impact the supermarket’s bright lighting and signage will have on the area’s local bat population. In response to this, lighting controls will be in place at the site to limit the pollution caused. The statement states that “lighting cowls” will be implemented as well as lighting controls which “can be restricted using LED controls to dim luminaries located across the car park and along the boundaries, this would benefit the bats as the dimmer can be set to suitable times throughout the year”.
A mobility management system to deal with traffic in the area is also proposed. The plans feature a wide access to allow the entry of articulated trucks into the site, served by a priority T junction off the Lahinch Road. Of the 87 parking spaces planned, it is stated that there will be 4 accessible car parking spaces, 4 family spaces and 2 electric vehicle charging stations. If permission is granted, the plans state that “The proposed development will also provide ducting infrastructure to 20% of car parking spaces to allow for future EV parking compatibility in accordance with the Clare County Development Plan 2023-2029”.
Construction is expected to be completed within twelve months and it is estimated that during the site’s peak there could be 25 to 30 trips to and from the site daily. The construction aims to minimise the amount of disruption caused by providing “wheelwash” facilities and restricting activities that generate dust during windy conditions. There are also plans for a pre and post construction survey off the roads surrounding the site to be carried out by Clare County Council in order to judge conditions before and after the development.
Clare County Council is due to make a decision on the site’s planning application by February 27th 2025.
