Incredible move as Kildare firm tries to block Lidl store planned for another county

Several public objections have been lodged to a planned new Lidl supermarket in Laois.

Laois County Council is due to decide by July 24 on a plan by Lidl Ireland GmbH for a new 2,200m store in Mountmellick. 

The plan includes demolition of the derelict former Central Garage and houses numbered 4 to 7 on Emmett Street, on the main N80 road towards Tullamore. See the plan and images here.

A Kildare company called Serda Ltd from Millstream, Monasterevin recommends that the Lidl be rejected. It says that the new supermarket will "seriously and adversely affect the vitality and viability of Mountmellick".

"There is no retail capacity for an additional discount large retail store in the area. The proposal will impact negatively on local businesses, increase vacancy, and increase traffic, congestion and hazards," it claims.

They say that because the supermarket would "serve a much wider catchment in excess of Mountmellick's population", that traffic congestion will be worse in an already congested area, particularly at peak times for the Community School. They say that it would be "highly premature" to build it before the flood relief scheme and inner relief roads. 

The site marked in red for the new Lidl Mountmellick supermarket.

The owners of a terraced house beside the houses set for demolition, notify Lidl in their submission that they have proceedings in the High Court over works done by Laois County Council on a footpath outside their house.

They express concern that as their home would become an 'end of terrace' it would require upgrading to its now external wall. They say that the development may damage their water and sewage systems, and their foundations. They ask Lidl Ireland to engage in consultation with them.

A couple who live on O'Moore Street, beside the large site, also have concerns.

"We are generally supportive of the development of a supermarket in the area, however we have a number of concerns about the layout, particularly its impact on the enjoyment and use of our property," they say.

They are "deeply concerned about the potential noise" that external fans are planned to be located very close to their garden which is frequently used by them, and ask for another location to be considered, or noise mitigation measures.

The couple say that the 7.5 metre tall building will cast a shadow on their garden, bringing a "substantial negative affect".  They say that they bought the house two years ago, hoping the garden would be "a peaceful restorative space in our retirement" and the development poses "a very serious threat to that vision".

They are concerned at the effect of demolition on their 200 year old stone boundary wall. They ask the developer to engage with them to discuss design changes.

The Mountmellick Town Team, which is overseeing regeneration in the town centre, say that "we welcome the development of this site".

However they say "we are concerned with the lack of permeability through the site and the decision not to provide a pedestrian / cycle access to O'Moore Street which is shown as 'Retained lands'," they say. They say to leave the section unused would be to under utilise the land, which is against a sustainable objective listed in the Mountmellick Local Area Plan. They say the path "would promote walking and cycling away from the congested N80 road".

The former Central Garage. Photo: Leinster Express

Read also: PHOTOS: 'A great job' on new Mountmellick path connecting town

The town team also ask that a new public plaza created in front of the supermarket be used instead as a public bus stop, moving the current bus stop from O'Connell Square.

Cllr Paddy Bracken lodged a similar submission, welcoming the plan but asking for the access path.

Lidl Ireland GmbH say that the new Mountmellick store will create 25 jobs in the town, adding €1 million per year to the local economy and reversing dereliction and vacancy. They say that the store will fill a  ‘gap’ in trolley scale supermarket shopping in Mountmellick, since the development of the Super Valu outlet outside the town centre".