Delay in decision on Aldi’s Cootehill plans

The plans were first lodged in early 2021.

A decision on Aldi’s planned new supermarket in Cootehill has been delayed.

Granted planning permission by Cavan County Council in February, that decision was appealed to An Bord Pleanála (ABP).

Retail body RGDATA, which represents independent, family owned stores in Ireland, lodged the appeal.

A decision was due to be made by ABP by Monday (July 4) but the decision period has now been extended.

It’s understood the volume of cases before the planning body led to the extension. A decision now is not expected until September.

Planned for a site on Station Road, next to the town’s Garda Station, Aldi intends to build a 1,315 sqm supermarket using its Project Fresh design. Parking facilities for 93 cars and 10 bicycles are also included. It will also be powered by 100% green electricity and will feature four electric vehicle (EV) charging points outside.

A pedestrian walkway will link from the supermarket to Market Street.

Aldi says it expects to create 60 jobs during construction, with 25 posts within the store once opened.

The Cootehill Chamber of Commerce is among those to have welcomed news of the plans. Following the lodging of the plans, the organisation said it “broadly welcomed” the news, noting the “considerable number of shoppers” that travel to other towns for their weekly shop.

In its submission to Cavan County Council as part of its adjudication on the plans, RGDATA said there is a high level of vacancy in Cootehill and those buildings should be “prioritised” for use as part of the development.