Controversy as Tesco gets go ahead despite recommendation for refusal

It is emerging that An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the controversial new €30m Tesco development despite a recommendation from its own inspector to refuse permission for the development for three reasons. While the full detail of the inspector's report has not yet been released, it's understood that she expressed concern about the fact that the development would be 20 metres above the existing town centre. This was one of the main arguments of local traders as part of the Keep Cavan Alive campaign - which claimed that it would take footfall away from the town centre. The president of Cavan Chamber of Commerce, Jim Burke, who was also involved with the campaign, has said he is "very disappointed" with the decision to grant permission for the 50,000 sq ft store. He says it's a "double blow" that the planning appeals board went against the recommendation of their own inspector to refuse permission. "They have gone against the person who came down, walked the town, looked at the site and the plans and recommended against it. How does that make sense?" he asked. In relation to the 100 new jobs that Tesco say the new development will create, Mr Burke asks how many of these jobs are part-time and at minimum wage. He also contends that the development, in its current design, could cost far more jobs in the future in small retailers - not just in Cavan Town but in outlying towns such as Ballinagh and Kilnaleck. He claims that already there are 41 vacant, street-facing shop units in Cavan. Mr Burke says that Cavan Chamber of Commerce will now turn its attention to supporting the retailers and businesses that remain in Cavan Town. "They (Tesco) are moving the town centre of Cavan from its historic base to the top of a hill. Retailers will now have to come together to survive. They will really have to pull together," he said. Among the conditions of the permission, now given by An Bord Pleanála, Tesco will have to pay €1.5m in development levies to Cavan Town Council - a large chunk of which will go towards the cost of the new Cavan eastern access road, which is under construction. As part of the conditions, An Bord Pleanála did reduce the number of parking spaces at the new development from the 400 requested by Tesco to 250, which Mr Burke says is a small comfort. It's expected that the new development will be open for business by mid 2014. Cautious welcome Meanwhile, Tesco Ireland has given a cautious welcome to the news that planning permission has been granted. Michael O'Sullivan, community liaison with Tesco Ireland, told the Celt today that they had "just heard the news". "Until we get an opportunity to sit down and review the new conditions, there isn't much we can say," he said.