No planning permission at Dealz in Clondalkin could see its closure and the lose of 38 jobs

CLONDALKIN could lose 38 jobs with the closure of Dealz in the Fonthill Retail Park. Dealz have been served with an enforcement notice by South Dublin County Council under Section 154 (5) (a) (i) of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 as SDCC claim that the shop does not have planning permission. SDCC claim that Dealz had a material change of use from a retail warehouse to use as a discount store for the sale of “non-bulky convenience goods”.

Dealz have now applied to SDCC for the retention of the change  of use from retail warehousing to shop at their premises in Fonthill Retail Park.

Local Councillor William Lavelle has called for SDCC to grant permission and has made a submission to SDCC on Dealz planning application.

Cllr Lavelle has described the Council as “heavy handed”.

He told The Echo: “If they go ahead with this, 38 jobs will be lost. It’s an economic issue. I think it is very heavy-handed by the council and it does not make any sense.

In his submission, Clllr Lavelle says that the Dealz store has been in existence since September 2015, it currently employs 38 staff and has served approximately 250,000 customers over the past year.

He added: “The planning authority has previously granted permission for similar type stores like Aldi and Eurasia  very close by in Fonthill Retail Park in the same zoned area.

I would call on the planning authority to grant permission for this retention application.

The granting of permission will protect 38 local jobs and will ensure ongoing retail competition among small-medium sized stores”.

The Echo contacted Dealz for a comment but they did not respond before we went to press.