LIDL get green light for Finisklin store
LIDL is to create a new store at Finisklin following the granting of planning permission by Sligo County Council this week.
The large site includes land bounded by Lyons Terrace, Finisklin Road and Union Place and is just off the Inner Relief Road.
Planning was given to Church Road Development Limited with an address in Newbridge for the supermarket which will measure 2,920 square metres.
This includes 2,624 square metres of foodstore space and off licence with development at the MIll building comprisng 236 square metres and a trolley bay, 60 square metres.
There will also be 137 car parking spaces provided with the development.
Access, both pedestrian and vehicular will be at two points on the Finisklin Road - one which will be between the Sligo Office Supplies premises on Finisklin Road and number 3 Lyons Terrace.
The development, extending to 1.1 hectares, will include refurbishment of the Mill Building a protected structure where Craig and McGowan is located. A shed at the rear of the build- ing will be demolished.
LIDL will not open for trading prior to the completion of the works on the Mill and a public realm area to its south and east flanks. Planners for LIDL say the Mill will become a “dramatic, vibrant space.”
TESCO Ireland in an observation to the County Council claim that the development was an inefficient use of land and that a double height building with undercroft car parking could be provided instead. A planner engaged on behalf of Tesco claimed the development would “result in a standard LIDL box surrounded by a sea of car parking at this significant site.”
A detailed objection was also received on behalf of a Cathal McGuinness of Cootehall, Boyle.
It stated that there were serious questions surrounding the application in terms of the need for the foodstore development as well as its retail and traffic impact.
It claimed that the “replication of another discount store in Sligo city cannot be justified at this time. This is especially the case given the vacancy rates that exist in Sligo at this time as well as the number of extant permissions for convenience floorspace development in the primary retail area.”