Roscommon County Council has, despite objections from 38 local residents and RGDATA, granted planning permission to Tesco Ireland Ltd to develop a Tesco store in Ballaghaderreen.

Initially applied for in August 2008 planning permission was granted early this month subject to twenty conditions. Among the conditions is that Ballaghaderreen’s Tesco will not be open on a 24- hour basis with the Council stipulating that, in the interest of residents living within the locality, the store cannot operate after 9pm. Permission is also subject to the construction of a roundabout on the N5 Dublin Road to provide safe access to the store and facilitate traffic on the main road.

Currently operating 116 stores in Ireland, Tesco opened 17 new stores alone in 2008 ranging from the inner city Metro to the all comprehensive Extra. Ballagh’s own proposed store at Lung, which is estimated to create approximately 100 jobs for the area, is a superstore, similar to that located in Castlebar, Carrick-on-Shannon and Roscommon, covering approximately 28,000sq ft in area. The store will primarily sell food products but, like its Mayo and Roscommon sister stores, will also sell a limited line in non-food products such as kitchenware, clothing, DVDs and books. Toilet facilities, an ATM and a licensed sales area will also be included. Parking is to comprise 168 spaces including 11 mobility impaired and 8 parent and child. The development will also be environmentally aware with recycling facilities on site and cycle stands. Pedestrian footpaths, lighting and site landscaping will also be in place on the development.

Objections, upon application in August, were filed both by the RGDATA, who represents the independent grocery sector, and AP McCarthy Planning Consultants on the behalf of 38 local Ballaghaderreen residents. The objections filed were primarily centred upon the “inappropriate” location of the proposed superstore outside Ballagh’s town centre on the N5 Road. Both argued that the Tesco superstore would have an “adverse effect” upon the town’s future development and was contrary to the retail planning guidelines in reference to the maintenance of the vibrancy and vitality of Ballaghaderreen’s town centre as well as the County Development and Local Area Plan that is in place for the town. It is unknown at this time whether these groups will appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.