Lidl’s anger at Tesco’s repeated planning tackles
The German retailer has come out swinging against Tesco's repeated objections to its planning applications
Print9 November 2016
We are all familiar with the expansion tactics of Lidl and its ilk in recent years. A rate of new store openings that comes close to saturation in some regions has seen a startling number of new stores open the past few short years. The Irish Examiner reports that the retailer now employs 4,000 people in Ireland, and currently spends €100m per year opening new stores.
Of course, all those new supermarkets require planning permission, which has led to a tete-a-tete between Lidl and Tesco. The German company has accused Ireland’s 3rd most popular supermarket of clogging up the planning process to purposely stifle Lidl’s expansion plans.
The Examiner reports the UK retailer has engaged in what Lidl calls ‘a potentially cynical attempt’ to use An Bord Pleanála to frustrate Lidl’s expansion plans over the past 12 months. In that time, Tesco has opposed plans for six or more new Lidl outlets – with every objection being rejected.
In a letter to the appeals board, Lidl said that Tesco should be considered a “serial objector”, referrring specifically to Tesco’s objection to a new store in Edenderry, Co Offally. In this objection, Tesco stated that the design and layout of the proposed development is not in keeping with the State’s Retail Design Manual.
However, the German retailer did not comment further on the case; Alan Barry, Lidl’s director of property and central services said that the company is committed to its expansion strategy.
In a statement, Tesco said: “Tesco Ireland only ever raises planning objections where there is a legitimate planning ground or precedent to justify the objection.”
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