Objections to changes at planned Mountbellew supermarket

Residents in Mountbellew have opposed alterations to a new supermarket in the village, which has already been granted planning permission by Galway County Council.

The local authority granted permission for the supermarket and filling station at Treanrevagh, Mountbellew – despite local opposition – and then approved an application to make alterations to the supermarket by moving certain aspects of the development within the site.

But this has now been appealed to An Bord Pleanala by a number of residents living close to the proposed development, which is being undertaken by Cahermorris Developments Ltd.

Apart from the supermarket and filling station within the site, it is also proposed to provide 440 car parking spaces along with bicycle racks.

Neighbours have stated that the proposed changes to the supermarket building will result in the chiller fans moving to within 50 metres of a nearby property.

They say that a noisy external plant such has this has never been permitted in any previous planning applications in Mountbellew and is out of keeping with the small village.

Concerns have also been expressed that the delivery bay will also be located to local property and will result in intolerable noise from trucks at all hours.

It is also argued that the development will gravely impact on the shops and units already inexistence in the village and could also impact on long-term stable employment in the heart of the village.

The initial planning process drew several objections to the supermarket and filling station in the village centre from local residents.

In one submission, it was stated that for ‘a viable village like Mountbellew’, a large discount supermarket was not appropriate and there was no assessment undertaken on the impact that this supermarket would have on existing retail businesses and the survivability of these businesses.

“The entire development is completely incompatible with this village and would have a detrimental effect on the location. The village currently has eleven vacant commercial premises and to consider further retail would be unwise and unsustainable,” stated another submission.