New car park earmarked for Monaghan site

A dispute between the Council and Aldi has led to the plans.

Plans for a new car park in Monaghan town are a step closer as the local Council has applied for planning permission.

The former Eircom site on the Broad Road, located close to the town’s shopping centre, is to be converted into a car park.

The move follows the closing of the former McNally’s carpark late last year as part of a dispute between Monaghan County Council and Aldi.

The retailer bought the site in recent years and had applied for planning permission for one of the region’s newest supermarkets.

However, as the site is prone to flooding, Monaghan County Council had requested Aldi carry out flood relief works in the surrounding area as part of the development.

The dispute led to Aldi dropping its plans for the supermarket late last year and its decision to cease the lease agreement with Monaghan County Council for the car park at the site. The area has been boarded up and closed since.

The County Council was quick to begin planning for a new car park in the area. The former Eircom site will be converted under the plans.

Monaghan County Council has issued a planning notice for the development outlining its plans “for the construction of a new surface car park along with all associated infrastructure works including surface water drainage pipework and street lighting”.

READ: Aldi 'remains committed' to Monaghan town plans

The local authority had previously said it expected the car park to be open and operational later this year.

Aldi has said it “remains committed” to Monaghan town and would continue discussions with Monaghan County Council.

An Bord Pleanála, meanwhile, continues to deliberate on its plans for Cootehill. A decision on the appeal taken by lobby group RGDATA against the planned new supermarket in the north Cavan town was expected last month.

That has now been delayed to the end of September.

READ: Delay in decision on Aldi's Cootehill plans.