Lidl apply for permission to build at former AO Smith site

AN APPLICATION has been made by Lidl to build a store at the former AO Smith Site on the Boghall Road.

The electric motors manufacturing plant closed in 2005, with the loss of 140 jobs. AO Smith had been operating in the town for 29 years.

The site has been vacant ever since, with reports at intervals since then of anti-social activity at the building, including a fire in 2014.

The planning application was made to Wicklow County council last month, with a decision due by June 21.

The two-storey building will include the discount food store and commercial office space, shared facilities and undercroft parking.

The proposal includes the relocation of the existing entrance on Boghall Road and the construction of an entrance on the Killarney Business Park Road and a new link road through the AO Smith site.

The industrial demolition premises will be demolished as part of the development.

At a public information evening held in April, DM Properties and Lidl unveiled their plans.

As well as the current application, in a subsequent phase it is planned to build office space, although that could potentially change if the zoning was changed to allow residential development.