Kells planning headache over development

KELLS retail development hit the Bord Pleanála wall last week, as Kells Development Company appealed against its refusal to develop the Backlands and Cavan road objectors lodged their appeal against the planned Aldi supermarket approved to be built alongside them.

There were discussions early last week between senior council officials and the Kells Development Company, which was refused permission for the €125 million mixed retail, commercial and residential development on its large segment of the Backlands (located behind Farrell, Bective and back streets).

The plan had been turned down on several grounds last month to the dismay of many locals. Decisions on both appeals are not expected until very late next March, pointing to an extended benefit for the recently expanded SuperValu and new Centra supermarket on Bective Square.

The Kells Development Company appeal is in respect of housing, creche, new town centre square, retail units and car-parking, with the demolition of the two houses on Bective Square which the company proposes as the entrance into a new street for the Backlands, parallel to Bective Street.

This was turned down as too narrow by council builders. The appeal was lodged on 14th November and is set for decision by 27th March next.

The discount foodstore which developer Micheál McKeon applied for on Cavan road was granted planning permission last month, over a year after it was initially submitted on behalf of Aldi.

The appeal lodged notifies three sets of objectors, "family", a couple living alongside the site and "residents of Cavan road". This was lodged on 16th November and is set for decision by 31st March.

The appeals to Bord Pleanála were somewhat unexpected in that Kells Development Company were thought to be preparing a revised planning application.

The Cavan road objectors had made submissions at council level for a project which town councillors had already voted for a variation of the town development plan, to enable the project to proceed.

The expanded supermarket presence in Kells this past year has seen Lidl refused permission for a store on a Cavan road site but local politicians remain convinced that the major multiples are very close to finally establishing a presence in the town.