Rose Barrett
Cllr Tania Doyle (Ind for Ongar) has criticised the rather ‘sterile’ look of the Lidl store in Clonsilla and the lack of greenery and landscaping as stipulated within planning approval granted by An Bord Pleanála in 2018.
“Lidl here in Clonsilla has been in operation for several years, yet we still await the roll out of an appropriate planting plan on their southern boundary,” she said.
“I do not wish to obliquely criticise the operation which provides employment, but it is universally accepted that the southern boundary (Clonsilla Road) is of a particularly hard visual aspect.
“To mitigate the hard aspect, a planting plan was submitted but never instituted, this despite a specific condition imposed by An Bord Pleanála within its planning decision in 2018.”
Cllr Doyle (feature above outside the Clonsilla store) noted that a mature tree line of long standing was removed to facilitate what is known as “frontage” for the store on its southern boundary.
“For some time now, the company has been in discussions with the local authority (Fingal) on the implementation of a revised and appropriate planting plan. However, as existing water and power services had not been relocated, tree pits are not feasible.”
Further to a motion submitted by Cllr Doyle at a recent Local Area Committee Meeting, she understands that the retailer “has stopped talking” apparently to FCC which Cllr Doyle states is both “incredulous and unprecedented.”
“While Lidl provides a retail service and vital employment, yet again we find ourselves discussing the operation here in Clonsilla for all the wrong reasons.
“Between issues with “out of hours” deliveries which were in contravention of the legal Grant of Permission, the lack of bins, again in contravention of the permission granted, the inadequate planting which has lead to bare empty wooden flower boxes on the Southern Boundary, Lidl on a macro level has been a disappointment not only to me but to a number of communities adjacent and their residents. I am now calling on Lidl Ireland to step up for once and for all!” concluded Cllr Doyle.
However, in response to Gazette enquiries, a spokesperson for Lidl Ireland stated: “Lidl Ireland have been liaising with Fingal County Council to discuss proposals for the installation of trees at Lidl Clonsilla.
“Following a positive outcome, we aim to begin planting once permitted to do so by the council. We look forward to adding this addition to our Clonsilla store and the local community”.
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