Big new Lidl supermarket planned in Laois town

Lidl Ireland GmbH has revealed plans to build a huge new supermarket in a Laois town that crosses over into a neighbouring county.

The company intends to demolish a National Learning Network Rehabcare centre to make way for the new building.

The German retail chain is planning a Discount Foodstore Supermarket with an off-licence, in Graiguecullen, measuring nearly 25,000sqft.

Parts of the site are located in Carlow so they are seeking concurrent planning for each area from Laois County Council and Carlow County Council.

They first plan the demolition of an existing National Learning Network Centre / Rehabcare building and site clearance.

Then Lidl plans to build a part single, part two-storey Discount Foodstore with ancillary off-licence use with mono-pitch roof measuring c. 2,305 sqm gross floor space with a net retail sales area of c. 1,499 sqm.

They plan the construction of associated car and cycle parking with site access from the Killeshin / Castlecomer Road.

Also sought is permission for the provision and renewal or replacement of boundary treatments, free standing and building mounted signage, free standing trolley bay, refrigeration and air conditioning plant and equipment, hard and soft landscaping, public lighting, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, roof mounted solar panels, ESB substation, drainage, utility and services infrastructure and connections, and all other associated and ancillary development and works above and below ground level.

The pre-validation application was received by Laois County Council on June 21, with a decision due by mid August.