Single submission lodged on Fermoy Lidl expansion plan
SUBMISSION MAINTAINS DESIGN AND LAYOUT ‘INAPPROPRIATE’ FOR PROMINENT GATEWAY SITE
A DECISION is due soon on an ambitious plan by German discount giant Lidl to further expand its north Cork operation by demolishing its existing store in Fermoy and replace it with a larger one.
If given the green light, an application lodged with Cork County Council planners would see the existing 1,342 sq metre store on the Courthouse Rd and the adjacent former ‘ Touch of Luxury’ premises torn down.
Under the provisions of the application these will be replaced a by a new 2,167 sq metre mono-pitched licenced discount store with associated infrastructural works ranging in height from one to two storeys.
The proposed new store on the 2.7 acre site will incorporate an expanded 1.338 sq metre retail sales are incorporating an off-licence and bakery. lobby, toilets, staff facilities, meeting rooms, IT room and storage/delivery areas.
Externally, the application makes provision for new signage, a trolley bay, parking for 140 cars and 31 cycles and motorcycles.
Primary vehicular and pedestrian access to the proposed new store will be via a repositioned site entrance onto the N72 Courthouse Road, with a second dedication pedestrian entrance from the road.
One submission in relation to the proposed development has been lodged with the planning authority in the name of Michael O’Riordan.
While Mr Riordan wrote that he had no objection in principal to the proposed development, he did express concerns of over its appearance.
‘Having regard to the site’s prominent location on the principal approach road to the town, I believe the design and layout of the proposed store are inappropriate at this location,’ he wrote.
‘ This prominent gateway site (to the town) demands a building of much higher quality and merit than is currently proposed,’ he added.
In its statutory report, Irish Water said it had no objection to the proposal based on the plans included in the application providing ‘ the applicant sign a connection agreement with Irish Water prior to work commencing’.
In its report, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) said any development should be undertaken in accordance with recommendations of the submitted Transport (traffic) Assessment and Road Safety audits.
‘Any recommendation arising should be incorporated as conditions in the permission if granted. The developer should be advised that any additional works required as a result of the Transport Assessments and Road Safety audits should be funded by the developer,’ wrote a TII official.
Cork County Council planners have set a date of Tuesday, March 6 for a decision on the application.
Should it be given the green light it will be the third Lidl store in north Cork set to be expanded after An Bord Pleanála previously sanctioned plans for the demolition and expansion of stores in Mitchelstown and Kanturk.