Appeal lodged against Aldi store in Trim

Plans to bring an Aldi store to Trim have hit a setback after an appeal was lodged with An Bord Pleanala against the granting of planning permission for the store.
On 2nd December last, Meath County Council granted planning permission to Aldi Stores (Ireland) Ltd, subject to 21 conditions, for the construction of a single storey discount foodstore, including an off-licence section, on a 0.79 hectare site at Watergate Street and Jonathan Swift Street.
Permission included the erection of signage and 106 car parking spaces. Three submissions were made on the plans, including one from Darragh Murtagh, who has now lodged the appeal.
Following the planning authority’s decision, there is a four-week period in which an appeal can be lodged to An Bord Pleanala. However, in the case of the Aldi application, an extra nine days applied to allow for the Christmas period.
The third party appeal was lodged by Darragh Murtagh, who has an address in Maynooth, on the final day, 7th January. An estimated date for the Bord Pleanala ruling on the appeal is 11th May.
Local councillor Noel French said: “I’m disappointed. This project is vital to the centre of Trim and the future business of Trim. It is frustrating for local consumers as well. Aldi will bring more consumers to Trim who are already travelling outside Trim to make purchases in Aldi stores.”
The planning application for the Aldi Store in Trim was lodged last June following the signing of contracts between Aldi and Meath County Council on the purchase of the old swimming pool site for the sum of €585,000. Further information was sought by council planners in August 2015 and that information was submitted in November.