Mayo supermarket car park expansion plan rejected

PLANS by LIDL to increase parking facilities at its store in Bohernasup, Ballina, have been rejected by planners.

The proposal to extend the discount supermarket's site included the demolition of an adjoining vacant dwelling.

In its application, LIDL Ireland said the store has traded with constrained car parking for a number of years, with the impacts of same increasing over time.

A similar proposal was refused a number of years ago.

A council planning report stated that the existing store is generally considered to be a welcome addition to the streetscape and fits in well with the residential nature of its surroundings.

However, the proposed car park extension would significantly extend the gap in the streetscape and impact negatively on the important visual balance between the existing residential and new commercial. The constructed LIDL store was conditioned to a specific design to maintain this balance and was endorsed by An Bord Pleanála.

Bohernasup is an unusual mature residential enclave, with large detached houses, encouraging long term residencies, right in the centre of Ballina town, and the existing intrusion is the limit of what is acceptable.

The proposal was contrary to the current zoning of the most relevant portion of the site, and would impact negatively on the residential amenity of the area and depreciate the value of property in the vicinity.

The demolition of a habitable dwelling, with front and rear gardens, in an established and mature residential streetscape, would impact negatively on the streetscape by creating an excessive gap.

The point was also made that having regard to the large public car park directly adjacent to the site at present, it is considered that there is adequate car parking provision for the store.