Setback for Aldi's Killaloe expansion plans

Supermarket giant Aldi’s continuing expansion has suffered a blow as its plans for a store at the medieval heritage town of Killaloe has been refused by An Bord Pleanála.

Last year, Aldi announced it would create a further 400 jobs as it confirmed plans to open a further seven stores in 2016 to add to its 122 existing stores.

Last August, Clare County Council gave the firm the go-ahead to build a store on Abbey St in Killaloe in the face of opposition from local retailers.

Two appeals were lodged against the council’s decision.

In response to the appeals, Clare County Council stated that the proposed development was acceptable.

A rebuttal submission lodged by Aldi with the appeals board stated that no objections have been made by local residents to the plan and that the appeals lodged are anti-competitive coming from other commercial retailers in Killaloe.

However, in its decision, the appeals board has stated that the proposed development would seriously injure the visual amenity and character of the streetscape on the southern approach to Killaloe.

The inspector has, however, left the door open for an Aldi outlet in a different part of Killaloe.