Aldi granted planning permission for another Mayo supermarket

German supermarket giant Aldi will be expanding its presence in Mayo after planning permission was granted for a new supermarket in Swinford.

Aldi has been refused planning permission for a new supermarket in Swinford but they successfully appealed the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála who granted planning permission for the development.

In overturning Mayo County Council's decision, An Coimisiún Pleanála – which is the new name for An Bord Pleanála - ruled that the development would provide for an appropriate form of development on this 'Town Centre Zoned’ site and would 'not adversely impact upon the built heritage of the area' or the amenities of the properties in the vicinity.

The approved development will consist of a single storey discount foodstore to be located across the road from the existing Tesco supermarket in Swinford.

READ: Well-known Mayo man climbs Croagh Patrick for the sixty-eighth time

The building will comprise a gross floor area of 1,908 square metres with one vehicular entrance from the Castlebar Road and the provision one vehicular and one pedestrian access from the Kiltimagh Road.

Once completed, the Swinford store will be the seventh Aldi discount store in Co Mayo with stores already in Castlebar, Ballina, Claremorris, Ballinrobe, Ballyhaunis and Belmullet.

In refusing planning permission for the original application, Mayo County Council planners expressed concerns throughout the planning process regarding the location of the store and that it would give rise to an over-concentration of retail development and be 'detrimental to the traditional core town centre'.

The planners stated that if granted the proposed development would have an adverse impact on the 'vitality, viability and attractiveness of the existing traditional town centre of Swinford', and if permitted would result in 'an over-concentration of retail development, both convenience and comparison in this area of Swinford town'.

Appeal

In the appeal, MKO Planning and Environmental Consultancy, acting on behalf of Aldi stated that the location of the site is zoned as 'town centre' and argued that 'there is absolutely no planning policy basis to refuse planning permission for this development based on its location'.

MKO also argued that the new Aldi store will enhance the vitality and viability of the centre as it will provide additional choice and competition for shoppers and 'ultimately attract more business to the town'.

Submissions to the appeal were also made by local residents and business people with businessman Derek Kennedy stating that the site is unsuitable for the proposed development as the area is already very busy and at times hazardous with so much traffic.

Former county councillor and publican, Joe Mellett pointed out that the land had previously been zoned residential and only zoned as town centre in 2022. He added that comparisons made by the appellant to similar developments granted by the Commission are not relevant in this instance as they relate to areas with a much larger population. If granted permission, he felt the development would be a catastrophe for the surrounding towns and be at odds with the Mayo County Development Plan.

Other observers pointed out that multinational operations do not have the same loyalty as locally owned and run businesses and since Tesco opened, eight small retailers have closed in Swinford.

Decision

In her report to An Coimisiún Pleanála, Kathy Tuck, Planning Inspector noted the concern raised by observers but considered the proposal to be acceptable in principle.

In addressing the reasons for its refusal, Ms Tuck stated that the development is connected to the town centre with an existing footpath and within 'easy walking distance'. She found that she did not accept the assessment of the Planning Authority and considered that the proposed development would not negatively affect the vitality and viability of the town centre of Swinford.

In relation to concerns over increased traffic, she found that the proposed development would not further adversely affect the current traffic volumes within the vicinity of the appeal site and safety concerns over large vehicles could be addressed by way of planning conditions.

She stated in her report that subject to conditions, the supermarket would be an appropriate form of development on this ‘Town Centre Zoned’ site and recommended to the Commission to grant planning.

In a majority decision of two to one, the Commission of An Coimisiún Pleanála decided to follow the recommendations of Ms Tuck and granted planning permission for the supermarket subject to 17 planning conditions.