LIDL’S PLAN FOR KANTURK
HOWEVER, PLAN BY GERMAN GIANT TO BUILD NEW MACROOM STORE REFERRED TO APPEALS BOARD
IT has emerged that German discount giant is Lidl is set to further expand its North Cork operation by knocking its Kanturk store and replacing it with a bigger one.
An application for the development has been lodged with County Council planners - just weeks after the company sought permission for a second store on the Park Road in Mallow.
If given the green light the latest application will see the demolition of the existing 1,762 sq ft (gross floor area) Lidl licenced discount store on the Banteer Road in Kanturk.
Under the provisions of the application this will be replaced by a mono-pitched licenced discount store with associated infrastructure works covering a gross floor area of 2,962 sq metres ranging in height equivalent from one to two storeys.
The new building on the 1.391 hectare site will incorporate a retail sales area with ancillary off-licence and bakery, lobby, toilets, staff facilities, offices and storage areas on the ground floor. The upper floor will include additional storage areas, an IT room, staff canteen and roof terrace.
Externally, the application makes provision for signage, a trolley bay and parking for 144 cars and 45 cycles and motorcycles.
The plan also makes provision for a repositioned entrance to the proposed new outlet for vehicles and pedestrians on the Banteer Road and landscaping works.
Local authority planners are due to rule on the application by September 21.
Meanwhile, an application by Lidl to build a new store at the site of the former 4Homes Superstore in Macroom has been refereed to An Bord Pleanala.
The building, which had lain idle since 2009, was purchased by Lidl who in April of this year were given the green light to demolish the building and replace it with a 2,947 sq metre, two story retail outlet.
The plan also made provision for the demolition of the single storey extension to the front of the existing Lidl store, which it is proposed will be redeveloped into an education and training facility.
Under the plan the new facility will incorporate a lecture theatre, six training rooms, reception lobby, canteen, toilets and other ancillary features.
However, following the lodging of a submission under the name of Macroom based Obtean Investments Ltd the proposal was referred to the appeals board who are due to make their ruling on it by October 18.
For full details on the Kanturk, Mallow and Macroom plans follow the links to the planning section at www. corkcoco.ie.