Plans have been submitted to the city council for a new Lidl in Knocknacarra in the second attempt to build a discount supermarket on this site.
Lidl Ireland is seeking planning permission for the construction of a shopping centre with a supermarket and several other businesses at the junction of the Western Distributor road and Bothar Stiofain.
The mixed used development will range from one to two storeys tall, with roof mounted solar panels and a total floor space of 2,594sqm.
Other business aside from the Lidl store which are part of the planning application include a café/restaurant, a barbers, a nail bar, and a physiotherapy clinic.
A Retail Impact Assessment for the surrounding area was carried out for this application which claims that this development will not have any negative impact on businesses nearby.
The developer also submitted a Traffic and Transport Assessment to the city council.
An Bord Pleanála previously overturned the city council’s decision to grant permission for a similar development at this site, against the recommendation of its own inspector.
The higher planning authority raised concerns at the time about the visual design of the store, describing it as “monolithic and poor quality”, concerns which this application says have been addressed in a revised design.
It is expected that the Lidl store will create 20 – 25 permanent jobs, with construction creating another 50 jobs for the duration of the build.
The planning application states that this development will create “an enhanced retail offer, along with a number of additional complementary uses, serving this localised residential catchment”.
“Knocknacarra is of a scale to accommodate an increase in the number and distribution of convenience outlets, being designated as a District Centre.”
“The proposed development will complement existing provision in the centre (Dunnes Stores and Aldi) by providing additional choice to shoppers, along with facilitating linked trips.”
Also involved in this project would be creation of a new car park with 87 parking spaces and vehicular access at te northeast end of the site.
Galway City Council is due to make a decision on this planning application by October 29.
