Appeal lodged over Dunboyne Lidl store plan

An appeal has been lodged with an Bord Pleanala against the decision by Meath County Council to grant permission for the Lidl supermarket development in the heart of Dunboyne village.

The hugely controversial planning application which prompted a number of public meetings and drew 262 objections was granted planning permission last month to the surprise of locals who had expected at least that further information would be sought on the plans before a decision was made.

An appeal has been lodged by Cllr Damien O'Reilly who was vocal in his opposition to the development, particularly regarding the changes that are proposed to parking and the installation of lights in the centre of the village and the green area.

The development includes a single storey discount foodstore with a gross floor area of 2,220sqm and net sales area of 1,409sqm with an ancillary off licence area together with parking for 119 cars.

A cafe retail unit of 165sqm adjacent to a proposed plaza area is planned for the existing car park to the west of the church. The entrance to the development will be approximately in the same location as the existing entrance to the car park.

The previously church-owned site was sold to Lidl by St Finian's Diocesan Trust and the planning application includes a car park with 53 spaces to serve St Peter and Paul's Church which would be connected to the grounds of the church.

Traffic management changes form part of the proposal and include a right turning lane on Main Street, a reduction in car parking spaces on the north side of the green and the removal of parking spaces on the east side.

The plans include a four-arm staggered signalised junction with controlled pedestrian crossings at Main Street to the south east of the green and the removal of parking spaces and kerb build outs to facilitate improved public realm space and achieve required forward visibility of the traffic signals and crossing points.