Lidl submits new plans for the Belgard Inn site
By Aideen O'Flaherty
LIDL Ireland has lodged a new application for planning permission on the site of the Belgard Inn pub, after being refused permission for a development on the same site earlier this year.
In 2014, South Dublin County Council granted permission to Lidl Ireland for a new store on the Belgard Inn’s overflow carpark, after the German discount supermarket purchased the land, including the pub and bookies, for an estimated €2.6 million.
As part of the original planning permission granted, it was to be business as usual for the landmark pub and bookies, with Lidl, in its new capacity as landlord, leasing both establishments to the current management.
However, in March of last year, Lidl revised its planning permission and lodged a new application for the site – which included demolishing the 44-year-old Belgard Inn, which is currently trading as normal and taking party bookings.
Last September, South Dublin County Council granted permission to the German discount chain for its revised concept store in Belgard, which was to be the company’s sixth Tallaght store.
However, the decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála, which overturned the council’s decision and refused permission for the development last February.
Now Lidl Ireland has submitted a new application for planning permission, which includes plans for the demolition of the Belgard Inn, the adjacent multi-deck car park and associated units.
It is proposed that the development will consist of a licensed, discount food store including an ancillary off-licence area and the creation of a single vehicular entrance and exit at the Cookstown Road.
There are provisions for four retail units, which the applicant has stated will be adaptable for a variety of commercial uses, and a public house.
The proposed development also includes a new road access off Cookstown Road to service the reservoir lands located immediately south of the subject site.
The proposal also includes improvements to the footpaths and an additional crossing point on the Old Belgard Road.
Included in the application are plans for free-standing and building-mounted signage, a refrigeration and air-conditioning plant, a car park, bicycle parking and a trolley bay.
There are also provisions for all associated site development works, which includes any retaining structures as required.
A decision on the application has yet to be made by the council.
