Lidl appeals council's planning rejection of Monksland store

The council’s rejection of a proposed Lidl supermarket in South Roscommon has been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

On Friday, July 17th, the local authority refused the project, believing that the proposed supermarket would be too car dependent for shoppers and would fail to contribute positively to the vision of the area as a mixed-use district centre. 

In May, Lidl Ireland lodged a planning application with the council to develop a new discount store in Monksland with a gross floor area of 2,358sqms.

The deadline to lodge an appeal is this Friday, August 14th, and Lidl Ireland confirmed to the Herald this afternoon that an application has been made to the planning regulator.

"Lidl Ireland can confirm it has appealed Roscommon County Council's decision and remains committed to opening a new store in the Monksland and wider Athlone area, bringing Lidl's market-leading quality and value to shoppers in the community as soon as possible," a spokesperson said.

It is not yet clear when a decision will be made by the commission.  The commission aims to make a decision within 18 weeks’ of an appeal, but this is often extended. 

The Herald has contacted An Coimisiún Pleanála for comment.