Not in Tesco’s backyard

Tesco objects to a proposed retail development beside its Ballybrack store in Co Dublin with rumours rife that a discounter may be moving into the space

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Tesco has appealed against the decision of Dun Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council to grant planning permission for a development adjacent to its Ballybrack, Co Dublin store. Melcorpo Commercial Properties Ltd applied for and received permission to develop the site to include a “two storey mixed use development including three retail units ranging in size from 81.6 square metres to 221.6 square metres, overhead offices and 22 car parking spaces. The site currently forms part of the shopping centre’s overflow car park.

The case is due to be decided by An Bord Pleanala by 30 March 2011.

Prior to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown granting permission, GVA Planning and Regeneration made a submission on behalf of Tesco Ireland Ltd objecting to the development. The submission stated: “The applicant has not demonstrated a sufficient legal interest in the subject lands to make a planning application. It is submitted that the application should be invalidated on these grounds. The applicant is not the registered owner of the application site and no letter of consent has been obtained from Tesco Ireland Ltd (who it is claimed has acquired rights over these lands for the benefit of its adjoining store)”. It was also claimed that “the application site is in use by Tesco for the purposes of access for delivery trucks to the existing food store.”

Strong words indeed and would make one wonder why Tesco did not object to either of the previous applications for the site!
The site has a colourful planning history. In December 2000, planning permission was granted to McDonalds for a drive-thru restaurant. However, permission was refused on appeal to An Bord Pleanála. In its assessment of the application at the time the An Bord Pleanála Inspector stated: “It would also more than likely improve the trading position of the supermarket and the unit shops by attracting more people to the centre. It would bring life to the centre at night”.

Then in May 2000 planning permission was granted to Melcorpo for a two storey mixed use development comprising three apartments and five retail/commercial units. A third-party appeal was lodged and An Bord Pleanála once again refused planning. Tesco made no objections to either of these previous applications. In fact it was noted by the Inspector in the An Bord Pleanála documents at that time that residents “believe that Melcorpo is linked to Tesco and that the plan is to relocate the existing five shops to this new development and extend the Tesco store”. In both these previous applications, the issue of ownership was raised and on both occasions it was noted but this did not form part of the Board’s grounds for refusal.

Locally, there are plenty of rumours circulating that the site is earmarked for a discounter. Maybe it will be a case of third time lucky for Melcorpo.

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