The existing Lidl store in Skibbereen. Pic: Google
CLONAKILTY Mayor Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin has warned that flood risk must be a top priority in considering a planning application for a new supermarket in Clonakilty.
German supermarket giant Lidl has lodged a new application seeking permission to build a 1,503 sq m new store with 82 parking spaces on the Inchydoney Road just past the Waterfront development.
The application also seeks to demolish some existing agricultural buildings to make way for the development.
The site of the proposed new Lidl store.
It is the second application from the chain to build a store in Clonakilty.
A previous application to build a 1,527 sq m store, also on the Inchydoney Road was turned down by An Bord Pleanála in February on grounds that it would cause unacceptable traffic congestion.
Following the devastating floods experienced in the town earlier this year, the Mayor told West Cork Times that the possible impact of any new development on the potential flood threat in the town should be a top priority.
“Personally I think that any new development like this must be looked at very closely in terms of the affect it may have on the future possibility of flooding and to be honest I don’t believe planning should be given for even a dog kennel in that area of the town.
“I have never hidden my views on another supermarket development in the town and personally I think that in the long run another multiple coming in would not be good for the town’s future.
“I know that may be an unpopular view with some people but in my view the town cannot support another supermarket.
“It should also be pointed out that the development plan for the town identifies the town centre as the area that should be prioritised for future commercial development and this proposal is for the outskirts on the Inchydoney Road,” he said.
I hope by saying that “to be honest I don’t believe planning should be given for even a dog kennel in that area of the town” the mayor thinks it nearly OK if dogs were to be affected by floods and possible drowning !
No , I don’t think he does think that. Don’t twist his words.
Why develop a new supermarket near the flood plain when they could renovate ” lehane s ” old supermarket building in the centre of town??? I absolutely support the mayor on this issue
I think there are enough supermarkets in Clonakilty. Lidl is already in Bandon and Aldi in Dunmanway. Meanwhile the prices have gone up in those shops even in the recession. We should support the supermarkets which already exist and the small shops in and around Clonakilty. That’s my opinion.
How can planning permission be even considered for another shopping facility on the outskirts when the Mace eyesore has been idle for the last 6 years+. And is the Eurospar going to re-open. The logic of permitting another large shopping facility to be developed in the Clonakilty area, while these 2 units are not utilised to their existing capacity makes no sense. Lets hope our planners see this
Its a bit late for councillors to be worrying about flood plains when the Waterfront has already destroyed what was once the best flood plain in Clonakilty. Maybe the powers that be might try and explain to flood affected residents and businesses how planning was granted to the Waterfront, a building that was raised so high above ground level that it prevents flood water from entering what was the old GAA pitch.
According to Clonakilty town council they GRANTED planning YESTERDAY to a super sized discount retail development at the Waterfront. Did the Mayor approve of this yesterday ? As Steve mentioned this is on the flood plain. How does the Mayor square this away with his comments ?
If Lidl are to come to town why not use the existing Waterfront buildings as most of it is lying empty, Another big supermarket would be no harm in town and would bring in people from outside the area which would only help the existing shops,
restaurants ,etc,
The Major and his council granted planning to Aldi this week on the waterfront flood plain, so what is he talking about dog kennels for ? Does he realise the consequences of this ? More rhetoric from our politicians, nothing changes.
Easy for Mayor to be talking about dog kennell when more and more people need access to cheap food. We all dont have cars to dirve to Bandon to go the near discount retail shop. Mayor is forgetting poor of the town. I want to have Aldi in Clonakilty.
Mayor wants to keep the cosy cartel of shops, the most expensive in ireland, while we have to drive to dunmanway. He has lost my families votes.
If vested interests appeal the recent granting of planning to Aldi then once again people (with transport) will travel to Dunmanway for Aldi and Bandon for Lidl.
That money is lost to Clonakilty economy but the vested interests don’t care. The vested interests also don’t care about those people who need Aldi or Lidl to be able to buy the besics for their family.
I admire Councillor Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin and hope that his genuine concerns about flooding etc will not be used by the vested interests whose sole concern is their own profit.
I hope that before the Mayor loses more votes like those of Seamus that he will ensure Aldi has his full support (subject to existing conditions) when the usual vested interests appeal to an Bord Pleanala.
Aldi would not be coming to town if there was not enough business for them. They are no fools. The only dogs in town in need of kennels are the ones in their mangers and monopolistic cartels. I welcome competition if it helps making living more possible for the townspeople and wish the new Aldi will also sell petrol so that we can also get access to fuel at a competitive price. By all means ensure through the planning process that these newcomers pay development charges to help combat the flooding. The council has already levied millions of euros on the waterfront development plus another 300,00 more now for Aldi. Hopefully the Councillor Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin will use his influence to ensure this money is used to combat flooding.
A sincere Well done mayor on your efforts on the flooding but if you have confidence in the process, leave planning for the experts. If you have no faith that the planners are competent enough then come out and say so. The flooding is not caused by town centre development but its rates and charges can be used to defend the town. Its not going to win my vote by stifling new business startups in town. Anywhere else would welcome the new jobs and vote of confidence in our terrific little town. More choice for shoppers will bring money for all business into town. I will be glad to be spared the weekly trek to Dunmanway in order to feed my family.
I want affordable choice to feed my family, the more shops the better for me. Last time I will vote for this councillor who is trying to keep prices up.
Why would a mayor or councillor want to stop a new shop opening in an area because ‘he just doesnt think it’s good for the town’? What’s that got to do with him?? Total irish gombeen politics, of course himself is in with the local expensive supermarket and wants to suppress competition. What a JOKE.
Shinners eh, jayus clon what have ye done
I move to clonakilty with my partner and 2 kids last year we both work in town-even tiny towns in Poland have good lidl and aldi-it should not be up to mayor to decide which supermarkts get the pie. They know there is good business in town that why they want to come. Why would politicians decide for them that they won’t do business? A town doesn’t support a supermarkt, it the other way around.
My experience, Ireland is very corrupt country especially cork
This sounds dodgey as bedamned. Does this mayor think he’s some sort of merchant prince that he determines what businesses get in and who doesn’t. Is that part of the mayoral brief? And then he claims that the town can’t support them? So Lidl obviously are wrong in whatever financial costings they do? Really!? This sounds seriously dodge folks in all the crookery and backhandery cute hoorism that festers at every political level in the land this one takes the biscuit. People of Clon, rise up. Start asking questions.