Lidl plans for Castleknock face High Court challenge

A High Court challenge has been brought against An Bord Pleanála's decision to give German supermarket giant Lidl the go ahead for a €15 million commercial development in Castleknock, Co Dublin.

Last month, the planning authority granted Lidl Ireland permission to construct a development that would include a supermarket, shop units, cafe, medical centre, and apartments in three separate blocks.

The challenge has been brought by company director Donal Daly, with an address at Egerton Gardens, London, England, who owns a property known as Glenmalure, Castleknock, which adjoins the site Lidl wants to develop.

Mr Daly, who was represented by Eamon Galligan SC in his action against An Bord Pleanála, is seeking an order quashing the decision to grant planning permission to Lidl to build the 5,000sq m mixed-use development.

Lidl had also secured permission to demolish existing buildings on the site.

Mr Daly is also seeking a declaration from the court that the decision is invalid, null, void, and of no effect.

Strategy plan

Mr Galligan said the challenge is being brought on grounds that there was a failure to have regard for the contents of Castleknock Urban Centre Strategy plan adopted by Fingal County Council when An Bord Pleanála made its decision in relation to the application.

Counsel said that an inspector appointed by An Bord Pleanála in relation to the proposed development erred in law by concluding that the provisions of the 2008 plan no longer applied to the site at the centre of the proceedings.

Permission to bring the challenge was granted on an ex parte basis by Ms Justice Mary Faherty at Monday's vacation sitting of the High Court.

Lidl Ireland GMBH, Fingal County Council, local TDs Jack Chambers and Joan Burton, and the Castleknock Residents Action Group are notice parties to the proceedings.

The judge adjourned the matter to October, when the new legal term commences.