Lidl’s appeal against new signage decision unsuccessful

LIDL’S appeal against South Dublin County Council’s decision to refuse permission for new signage at the Arena Centre in Tallaght has been unsuccessful.

An Bord Pleanála (ABP) upheld the council’s decision to refuse permission for the placement of two double-sided projecting signs to the northern elevation of the existing Arena Centre mall entrance.

The council refused permission for the signs last February, as they said they would be removed from the associated retail unit and frontage, which is already served by existing signs.

“The proposed development is considered to give rise to unwarranted and unacceptable visual impact,” stated the council in its decision.

“Furthermore, having regard to the presence of neighbouring commercial units operating within the Arena Centre, the development, if permitted, would potentially set an undesirable precedent for similar proposals and would therefore be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

In March, Lidl lodged an appeal against this decision stating that the signs would provide “some level of visual interest and relief” to the “large expanse of relatively blank façade” of the northern elevation.

The appeal also detailed how Lidl is the anchor tenant of the Arena Centre and as such should enjoy “a priority in terms of signage, irrespective of direction and distance to the store itself”.

On June 8, ABP decided to uphold SDCC’s decision as it found that the signage would “give rise to an unacceptable visual impact” and had the potential to create “visual clutter”.

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