RGDATA has welcomed the decision of An Bord Pleanála to overturn the decision of Drogheda borough council to grant planning permission, subject to conditions, to Lidl to build a discount food store at the M1 retail park in Drogheda, Co Louth.
Permission was granted in July this year but was appealed by the retail and grocery association on the grounds that it breached retail planning guidelines.
Lidl had sought permission for a 1756 sq m development on part of the M1 retail park, which is just north of the town and adjacent to the main Dublin to Belfast motorway. It is approximately 2.4km (1.5 miles) from the town centre.
In refusing the development, An Bord Pleanála said the current policies and objectives of the local development plan were to "limit retail developments outside the town centre retail core" and to restrict retail warehouse developments "solely to the sale of bulky comparison goods".
The board said: "Having regard to the nature of the proposed development and to its location in a retail warehouse park on the periphery of the town, outside of any neighbourhood or district centres, it is considered that the proposed development would materially contravene that policy and objective, as indicated in the development plan, would be at variance with the Retail Planning Guidelines for Planning Authorities published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 2005 and would set an undesirable precedent for such development within similarly zoned areas."
The news was greeted with dismay by Drogheda resident James O'Neill, who gathered almost 13,000 signatures in support of the store being given planning permission.
"The people of Drogheda are being bullied into buying food from members of RGDATA. This decision is a disgrace and I am calling on the people of Drogheda to boycott the businesses of members of RGDATA and get the bus to their nearest discount food store."
RGDATA general director Tara Buckley said: "We believe in upholding the retail planning guidelines and in their importance for consumers and retailers by creating sustainable development.
"The guidelines seek to maintain the vibrancy and vitality of town centres and are in the best interests of all players. I am delighted to see on this occasion that An Bord Pleanála agrees."