Two supermarkets in Tramore town centre are seeking to entice customers with on-site petrol filling stations.
Waterford County Council has sought further information from SuperValu, Priests Road. The company, trading as Leefield Ltd, has applied for the construction of two additional shop units and a kiosk, as well as renovations to the existing shop units façade, plus the erection of a two-pump petrol station.
Four submissions were made by nearby residents, who are concerned about traffic, environmental impact and sightlines, while An Taisce has also commented questioning whether it’s an appropriate us of the site.
Proprietor Sean Quish was refused planning permission for various ancillary developments on the property, including a cinema and fitness centre, in 2004.
His latest plans are in response to increasing competition, most notably from Tesco Ireland, who opened a new supermarket at nearby Summerhill/Ballycarnane last month. A Lidl discount foodstore is being built alongside it.
Tesco, whose Ardkeen fuel pumps attract long queues of customers, have now applied to the Co Council for a 4-island petrol filling station, incorporating a kiosk/shop, forecourt canopy; underground storage tanks, circulation area and egress provisions, advertising signage, provision for air and water, boundary treatment, and revised landscaping works. There would also be minor modifications to the access road for the permitted foodstore development, including two zebra crossings with ‘belisha’ beacons.
Ironically, Tramore is Tesco Ireland’s first “Eco” Store. The building boasts various environmentally-friendly features enabling it to reduce energy consumption by 45%, saving 420 tonnes of carbon annually.