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Knocknacarra Lidl supermarket gets go-ahead

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Galway City Council has given the green light to controversial plans for a new Lidl supermarket and off-licence in Knocknacarra.

Hundreds of residents, as well as residents’ associations and several local councillors, objected to the plans for the site off the Western Distributor Road and Ballymoneen Road.

However, following revisions to the design of the building and the creation of new pedestrian and vehicular access points, planners accepted the proposals.

It is expected that the City Council’s decision will be appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

Site owner Florence Thomas had sought permission on behalf of Lidl for a 20,000 square foot supermarket and off licence on the two-acre site off the Blake Roundabout.

The planners decided: “The convenience retail element would not be in competition with the city centre and would not affect the primacy of the city centre, as the city centre would generally provide a wider range of higher quality goods, while a development as proposed would generally provide for low-grade goods.”

Planners ordered that a revised design be applied for the building’s finish – plastered wall panels on the northern elevation must be replaced by a combination of glazing and stone.

Opening hours have been restricted to between 8am and 9pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am to 7pm on Sundays.

Planners also ordered that any 24-hour operations be restricted to four weeks of each calendar year and must be agreed in advance.

Construction work has been restricted to between 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, and if rock-breaking is required, a schedule of times and dates must be agreed in advance with the Council.

The applicant has also been ordered to commission a professional piece of artwork (to the value of around €5,000) for the site, and to employ a landscape architect during works.

The Council has sought a financial contribution of just over €116,000 towards the cost of provision of services in the area.

More than 130 residents from the adjoining Leargán estate signed an objection on the grounds of increased traffic and public safety, that it may lead to anti-social behaviour because of youths congregating outside as happens in other nearby supermarkets.

The Portacarron Residents’ Association on the Ballymoneen Road had similar concerns, with around 100 residents objecting.

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