Rivals battle it out to get green light for supermarket

BUSINESSES losing out in a race with a rival to provide a new multi-million euro supermarket in the west Clare town of Miltown Malbay have made a last-ditch effort to kick start their project.

Michael Gleeson and Jim Shannon have appealed a decision by Clare County Council to refuse planning permission.

Their business rival, John Jones, secured planning permission for a €4 million retail development in Miltown Malbay last year. However, in an attempt to block this plan, Mr Gleeson and Mr Shannon have appealed the Jones decision to An Bord Pleanála.

A decision is due on that appeal later this month where another Miltown retailer has also appealed.

Now, Mr Gleeson and Mr Shannon have told An Bord Pleanála their own plan “will function as a catalyst for future linkages from Main Street to the identified town centre expansion area to the west facilitating the orderly development of the Main Street and adjoining areas”.

In their appeal, consultants for the pair state “the application site is sequentially the most suitable and viable location for the proposed development”.

They state that “having regard to location, architectural design approach, master planning and pedestrian connectivity to the town centre, our clients’ development at New Line Lane comprises the optimum location for retail development in Miltown Malbay”.

They state: “The current application is the most suitable and viable location for the proposed retail development and the scheme will have a positive impact on Main Street by increasing commercial activity, synergy and acting as a catalyst to planned expansion.”