Retail giant planning to construct new store in south Longford town

Supermarket giant Lidl has indicated that it will be submitting a planning application for the construction of a new store in Ballymahon.

The proposed store would be located at Main Street/Church View Backlands, Ballymahon (including the rear of former St Matthew’s National School, Nally Tyres /Circle K and adjoining lands).

Lidl’s intention to open in Ballymahon indicates the growing prosperity of the south Longford town, with holiday resort Center Parcs Longford Forest situated on the outskirts of the town.

There has been a Lidl store in Longford town for 23 years and it is currently closed to facilitate the construction of a new state-of-the-art store.

The proposed Ballymahon store would have 2,291 square metres gross floor space with a net retail sales area of 1,489 square metres.

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The development by the German retail giant will also include provision of car and cycle parking.

The planning application will also include boundary treatments, free standing and building mounted signage, covered trolley bay, refrigeration and air conditioning plant and equipment, hard and soft landscaping, public lighting, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

In addition, there would also be roof mounted solar panels, ESB substation, drainage, utility and services infrastructure and connections, and all other associated and ancillary development and works above and below ground level.

The development would also include the demolition of existing single storey former school building and site clearance and construction of a new footpath to (West side) of existing Church View access road and associated and ancillary road realignment.

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In addition, the proposal would seek the construction of a new Access Road from Church View access road, providing vehicular and pedestrian access to the proposed development (and facilitating the future development of adjoining lands).

A Natura Impact Statement will be submitted to the planning authority with the application.

The planning application (and the Natura Impact Statement) may be inspected, or purchased, at the offices of Longford County Council during its public opening hours.

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A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee (€20) within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.