Bawnogue set for major development

By Maurice Garvey

PLANS for a major development at Bawnogue Shopping Centre, have been granted permission by South Dublin County Council.

It is third time lucky for the centre, who had to re-submit previous planning applications, due to bad luck.

In one case, general election posters covered the site notice earlier this year, rendering the application invalid when planning inspectors arrived out to view it.

Staff also had difficulty in keeping site notices up on lamp-posts or outside the store, as youths would tear them down.

Owner of the More4Less store Mark Burns wants to drastically improve the internal and aesthetic appearance of the shopping centre, by amalgamating three retail units into one to provide a small local supermarket.

The plans also contain proposals to relocate the post office into the new development.

The shopping centre endured serious anti-social problems earlier this year, including a string of armed robberies.

The More4Less shop, which is proposing the development, hope the new plans will greatly improve services for the area.

During the proposed development, the store hopes to remain open for the most part, depending on the level of work during the phases of construction.

Proposals for the development include demolition of the rear of the existing store, resurfacing the car park, alterations to the front façade, and associated site works.

Council planners granted permission for the development on December 7.