Aldi denied planning in town for second time

ALDI has been refused planning permission for a store in Kenmare, for the second time.

An Bord Pleanála has ruled that a proposed store at the junction of the Killarney/Kenmare and Ring of Kerry roads could cause a traffic hazard and, also, the need for another retail outlet in Kenmare had not been established.

Aldi had appealed against a Kerry County Council decision to refuse planning for a 1,500 square metre, single-storey building at Gortamullin, Kenmare.

Rival retailer Lidl has previously been refused planning for a discount store in Kenmare.

Senior Bord Pleanála inspector Robert Ryan said the proposed Aldi store would be on a landmark site at a busy junction – an area designed for car-borne users rather than all sections of society.

He felt that the entrance/ exit design would be inadequate to deal with a multiplicity of traffic movements and would endanger public safety.

The proposal did not accord with retail guidelines, Kerry County Council’s local area plan or the county development plan, according to the inspector.