Plans for a major new Aldi development in the heart of Boyle have received the final planning green light.
An Coimisiún Pleanála has granted permission, subject to conditions, for the development at the former Candon’s site and lands to the rear of Patrick Street.
The decision clears a major planning hurdle for the long-awaited project, which will include a new Aldi discount foodstore alongside the restoration and refurbishment of a terrace of buildings to provide five residential units.
The development involves the demolition of approximately 1,043 square metres of derelict buildings and structures to the rear of the existing two-storey terrace fronting Patrick Street.
The existing terrace will be repaired and refurbished to provide five two-storey homes, comprising three one-bedroom and two two-bedroom residential units.
A new single-storey Aldi store will then be developed on lands to the rear.
The supermarket will have a gross floor area of approximately 1,839 square metres, including a net retail area of 1,315 square metres, and will include an off-licence.
The wider development also provides for a standalone ESB substation and switch room, car and bicycle parking and associated site development works.
Aldi previously indicated that the proposed Boyle store could create up to 30 permanent jobs.
Roscommon County Council initially granted permission for the development in January, subject to 36 conditions.
The project was subsequently brought before An Coimisiún Pleanála following a third-party appeal and a separate first-party appeal by Aldi relating to a number of conditions attached to the Council’s permission.
The third-party appeal raised issues relating to town-centre zoning, archaeology and architectural heritage, and traffic management and access.
The planning process was further prolonged during the summer when An Coimisiún Pleanála sought submissions relating to the presence of a bat roost on the site and the requirement for a derogation licence.
A decision had initially been anticipated during the summer but was subsequently delayed.
Confirmation on Tuesday morning that permission has now been granted brings the lengthy planning process for the development a significant step closer to completion.
The development is regarded as a significant investment in Patrick Street and includes the redevelopment of a prominent town-centre site which currently contains a number of derelict structures.
