Aldi store plan decision announced
The retail landscape of Moate looks set to change in the near future with the approval of plans for a new €6.8m Aldi store in Moate this evening (Wednesday).
The new supermarket, which got the green light subject to compliance with 15 planning conditions, comes with the promise of 30 new jobs and another 50 during the construction phase.
In June, Aldi Stores (Ireland) Ltd first applied for planning approval to develop a discount foodstore and 117-space carpark on a vacant site on the Athlone Road approach to Moate.
In its planning application, the German discounter said the proposed store would "greatly serve the town and wider rural landscape" by enabling people to "conduct their big weekly shop in the local town rather than having to travel further distances to other settlements for their shopping".
A new landscaped civic space is proposed in front of the store which would, according to Aldi, "significantly improve the existing public realm on offer" on the prominent site approaching Moate town.
On August 8 last, the project was put on hold when the council requested further information from the retail giant under a number of headings, including the need for a pedestrian crossing on the Athlone Road, a query about site levels, delivery times/volumes, traffic safety and the need for a construction and environmental management plan for the 0.98 hectare site.
In October, the developer lodged a series of reports to address the concerns of the local authority, saying it believed the extra data “satisfactorily addresses” the items raised in the further information request.
Now, the local authority has agreed and given the go-ahead for the new supermarket, long wanted by locals who feel it will offer more choice in terms of local shopping.
Among the conditions laid down by the council include the payment of €47, 286.18 in development contributions towards the infrastructure in the area, that any damage to roads be “made good” by the developer and that an updated Construction Environment Management Plan be submitted prior to work starting.
In addition, there are conditions dealing noise levels, landscaping, working hours and the developer is asked to proceed with a modified proposed entrance, which affords higher priority to pedestrians and cyclists, and provide details of a controlled pedestrian crossing on the R446 before the project commences.
There were three submissions lodged during the local planning process, two of which fully endorsed the project on a portion of the former Roseland Ballroom site as a very positive for the Moate area, and encouraged the council to grant planning permission. The other submission asked that late-night deliveries be limited.
Cllr Tom Farrell said he delighted the store has been approved for Moate.
Aldi has been contacted for comment on the approval today (Wednesday).