Lidl have long been seeking to develop a store in the area, and have reviewed several locations in and around the town. It is estimated that the proposed Lidl store will provide up to 25 direct full-time jobs, generating around €1.3 million per annum locally in wages, in addition to further jobs created or supported indirectly, in the order of €3m in construction wages alone.
The proposed development is to be anchored by a licenced discount foodstore, with a 2,305 sqm gross floor space and 1,499 sqm net retail sales area, alongside a 1,350 sqm convenience net sales area, with the remainder relating to ancillary comparison sales. The development will also include a café and a small office for commercial use.
A statement released by The Planning Partnership, acting on behalf of Lidl as part of the application, said: “Principally, the proposal will also provide the growing, and targeted for growth Blessington area, with an enhanced retail offer, serving the town and its catchment with an appropriate level of food shopping facilities, whilst not disturbing the existing pattern of trade in the town.
” Furthermore, the proposed development will provide a positive contribution to the character of the area, being a timely and complimentary enhancement to the townscape and reversing vacancy and decay.”
The development will involve the demolition of existing single storey dwelling with bed and breakfast use, and ancillary outbuilding/garage, and demolition of five vacant commercial buildings and associated site clearance. There are also proposals for a change of use of an existing single-storey vernacular townhouse structure, part demolition of non-historic additions and the construction of porch/canopy to rear for office and commercial use.
The store itself will be a part single, part two storey mono roof pitch discount supermarket, with an ancillary off-licence, as well as a single storey café measuring 140 sqm and with an external seating area.
The plans involve the construction of a vehicular access point to the Dublin Road and associated works, including modifications of existing footpaths/public realm and removal of existing access points to Dublin Road.
Planning is also sought for associated car parking, including electric car charging facilities, cycle parking, free standing and building mounted signage, trolley bay cover/enclosure, refrigeration and air conditioning plant and equipment, roof mounted solar panels, hard and soft landscaping, boundary treatments, electricity sub-station building, works and connections to water supply, wastewater and surface water infrastructure and utilities, and all other associated and ancillary development and works above and below ground level.
It is proposed that the supermarket will operate during normal trading times from 8am to 10pm Monday to Saturday inclusive and 9 am to 9 pm on Sunday’s and public holidays. In terms of delivery hours, Lidl state there would typically be only one delivery per day to the store, with occasional other movements, such as for waste management.
In July, Lidl received planning permission from An Coimisiún Pleanála for a store in Baltinglass, having appealed Wicklow County Council’s initial decision to refuse planning.
Meanwhile in June of this year Lidl was refused planning permission for the development of a mixed-use, town centre scheme anchored by a discount food store in Kilcoole.
Lidl currently has five stores in Wicklow, two in Bray, and one each in Greystones, Wicklow town and Arklow.
A decision on the application for Blessington is due from the planning section of Wicklow County Council by October 16.