Council seeks further information on Aldi store and apartment plan for Johnstown

Meath Co Council has sought further information on plans for an Aldi supermarket and 45 social and affordable apartments proposed for a site on the Metges Road in Johnstown, Navan.

Two separate planning applications were lodged by Byrnell Developments Ltd in December for the site. If approved, the new plans would supersede a previous grant of planning permission for 104 apartments and commercial space which were strongly opposed by local residents.

Byrnell Developments Ltd is proposing to build a single storey retail food store of 1,840 sqm (1,315 sqm net retail) with ancillary off-licence sales area and external service area, illuminated signage and a car park for 89 cars at Metges Road, Johnstown, Navan. The site extends to 0.818 hectares.

The documentation and drawings accompanying the application indicates that the retail facility would be occupied by German retailer Aldi.

A separate planning application also by Byrnell Developments Ltd proposes to build 45 social and affordable apartments in two blocks of four and five storeys made up of 36 one-bedroom apartments and nine two-bedroom apartments with PV panels.

Car parking for 56 cars, a single vehicular access from the Metges Road and two pedestrian entrances are proposed, along with a communal garden open space area. The site is 0.46 hectares.

Two submissions were received on the food store application and one on the apartment application. Last week, Meath County Council sought further information in relation to both planning applications.

In relation to the foodstore, Meath County Council had concerns about the siting and layout of the proposal stating "the planning authority is concerned that the setback of the proposed retail unit may result in the unnecessary removal of a number of trees forming the western site boundary" and also that the siting of the proposed delivery/loading bay area, bins stores and plant area may result in amenity impacts on the neighbouring Bailis Village Residential Scheme

The applicant is requested to" justify the siting and layout arrangement of the proposed retail unit on the subject lands with respect to impacts on the established trees along the western boundary" and "demonstrate that the proposed development would not cause undue impacts to existing residential area immediately adjacent to the development from the goods delivery access by way of noise and vehicular movements, odours and general storage of waste from the store area and noise from the plant area".

"It is the opinion of the planning authority that the proposed retail unit may be adapted through siting and a reconfiguration to suitably address the above concerns and the applicant is invited to submit a revised siting/layout of the unit to ensure that the matters outlined are appropriately addressed."

It also asks for drawings to be submitted demonstrating the provision of a recycling facility/bottle bank in the car park area.

In relation to the apartments proposal, Meath County Council sought a revised landscaping and boundary treatment drawing, including the precise area of communal open space, further details in relation to car parking sizes, bicycle storage areas and requested that a safe pedestrian route be identified from the car park to the west entrance of Block B and also to demonstrate how the refuse truck will enter, turn and exit the site.

Further information was sought on both applications in relation to the proposed surface water design for the site which was "deemed unacceptable" to Meath County Council and it also requested more detail on the flood risk assessment and for an energy statement be submitted.

It also asks the applicant to address the issues raised in the submissions in a comprehensive response. It states that the applicant refers to the removal of trees outside the red line application boundary and asks for confirmation that they have appropriate consent for these works. Two submissions were made on the supermarket plan and one on the apartments application.

Local councillor Alan Lawes said there are concerns among residents about the level of traffic that another major supermarket being built along Metges Road would bring to the area and the apartments. Residents do enjoy walking and running along the tree lined avenue and the removal of the trees is another concern.

"We still haven't seen an actual planning application for the long promised community centre in Johnstown and nobody will believe it until we see a planning application. That's the planning application everyone is waiting for and everyone wants," said Cllr Lawes.

Among the issues raised in the objections to the plans were the impact on the environment and biodiversity, the stream and waterway bordering the site and the narrowness of the site. Another concern was the increased traffic generated by the two developments on a road where traffic is already heavy and the danger posed by having another entrance on the Metges Road.