An Bord Pleanála has refused planning permission for the proposed construction of an Aldi store on a two-acre site in Crobally Upper, Tramore.
The news has been described by Deputy Mayor Tom Raine as “another devastating blow” for the county’s biggest town, which many argue remains underserved in terms of large supermarket provision.
However, those who appealed Waterford County Council’s green lighting of the proposal in January, including Town Councillor Blaise Hannigan, will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
Other appellants to the proposal included Mary Higgins, Peter Burns (owner of the nearby Riverstown Stores) and RGDATA, a retail umbrella group.
The application for the store was re-lodged by Aldi to Waterford County Council in August of last year, some four years after planning permission was first refused.
“This is another devastating blow to business in the town,” claimed Cllr Raine. “We were just getting over the proposed hotel and golf resort in Garrarus getting knocked by An Bord Pleanála and now Aldi has been given the red light too.”
Cllr Raine continued: “Aldi would have created more jobs for the town- and a supermarket outside of the town centre and have shown other potential investors that companies on the scale of Aldi are willing to invest in our growing town.”
Cllr Raine didn’t spare the critical rod when it came to those who appealed the Aldi proposal.
“In my eyes it’s a shame that a small group of people can stop such a development,” he stated.
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