Aldi plans for Laytown face opposition

Plans by supermarket chain, Aldi, to build a store along the seafront in Laytown is meeting with strong opposition locally.
A recent planning application by the German discount chain to construct a single-storey foodstore at the old Creevelea House Nursing Home site in the seaside village has been opposed by local Fine Gael councillor, Sharon Tolan, and Sinn Fein councillor, Eimear Ferguson, who have united to oppose the development.
The proposed development will consist of the demolition of the existing building and the construction of the foodstore with a gross floor area of 1,729sq metres. The proposed development will be served by 104 car parking spaces. Access to the site will be provided from Strand Road (the R150).
The proposed development includes all engineering works, landscaping works including revisions to bus lay by, bicycle parking, boundary treatments and site development works on the 0.78 hectare site.
Meath County Council received the planning application from Aldi on Friday 8th April, and locals wasted no time in taking to social media to voice their concerns.
“This application has not come as a shock, there has been talk locally for some weeks now. A commercial development of that size and nature is just not suited to that seaside location,” Cllr Tolan said. “Cllr Ferguson and I have been working together since we were elected to the Laytown-Bettystown Municipal District on a number of projects such as the Beach Management Plan, with a view to improving amenities for both local residents and visitors to the area.  
“The last thing we need along our beautiful coastline is a monstrosity such as this, and the traffic chaos it will cause to the area.”
She said this type of commercial entity is best located in a more town centre environment.
Cllr Ferguson said: “Cllr Tolan and I have already received many representations on the issue, and we will be holding a public meeting to outline the plans from Aldi, and to discuss with the community a course of action. We are united on this issue and will do all we can to ensure it does not go ahead.”
A spokesperson for Aldi said the company had no comment to make on the planning application.