PRESS RELEASE
Cllr Cormac Devlin
23rd August, 2017

A “Lidl” Planning Issue in Shankill:

This week the planners of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown sought further information from Lidl, Ireland about their extensive plans for the redevelopment of the former Shankill Shopping Centre site. Lidl Ireland proposes a redesign of the main retail unit as well as the building of several, new, standalone; Café, Crèche and Medical Centre units on-site.

Fianna Fáil Councillor, Cormac Devlin stated that “there has been considerable comment about aspects of these plans since they were first published in late April, 2017. I welcome the fact that Lidl held a one day public consultation day in advance of submitting their plans however they failed to make any changes to their submission post the “consultation” event. The majority of the local residents that I’ve spoken to are very pleased that this site could be revitalised after many years of effectively being dormant. There have been several submissions made which locals are hoping Lidl will finally accommodate and include in aspects of their “additional information”. One aspect is a simple one which is the design of the overall retail unit. This feature includes the retention of the apex, tiled/slated roof. This would ensure that the centre retains its neighbourhood centre feel and not the semi-industrial look that Lidl want to impose on the quant Village of Shankill. I raised these concerns and others with the Council’s Area Planners. This design would be more in-keeping with the existing zoning for the site in the current County Development Plan 2016-2022″

14 submissions were made by local residents seeking changes to elements of the plan put forward by Lidl. Some other concerns that were raised highlighted the over-development of the site, not retaining the character of the original shopping centre, concerns about excessive traffic and lack of parking for the development itself.

Cllr. Devlin said “I welcome the fact that the planners of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown have listened to the concerns of residents and groups in the Shankill area by seeking further information from Lidl. I hope that Lidl will now accommodate as many of these concerns as possible and that they make the necessary changes to their plans. Lidl did this when they sought planning permission for their shop in Glenageary. They took on the concerns then and I believe they should now do the same for the people of Shankill” concluded Cllr. Devlin.

The Shankill Shopping Centre was once home to Super Valu which was sold in 2011 to Superquinn. That deal fell through and the centre was subsequently bought by Bilaro which lodged a planning application with the Council in 2013. Permission was granted for a 15,000sq.m centre and work began. 

The Bilaro group had practically redeveloped the entire site which saw the retention of the apex roof and the existing tenants (O’Donnells Pharmacy and Envy Hairdressers) but work stalled and they then sold the site onto Lidl, Ireland GmbH.