New Tesco superstore in Cavan faces another hurdle

A local group is seeking a Judicial Review of planning permission for a major new multi-million euro Tesco store in Cavan Town.

The legal action is being taken by ‘Friends of Killymooney Lough’ with a JR originating statement submitted early last month.

It is named against An Bord Pleanala, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, and the Attorney General, and looks to challenge the decision to uphold permission granted by Cavan County Council last December in respect of Tesco’s since revised plans for the 3.86 hectare site at Townparks and Tullymongan Lower.

Tesco Ireland, however, has secured a High Court order to expedite the hearing.

The case appears on the Planning and Environment hearings list and was mentioned before the courts only last Monday (March 24) when it was adjourned to a date in late May.

Tesco Ireland is hopeful that a full hearing could take place as soon as June. The retailer had hoped to begin construction on the development before the end of March, with a local contractor understood to have been hired to carry out the works.

The planned 5,197 sq m Tesco store will also include a filling station and drive-thru café, car wash and jet wash area, 297 carparking spaces and 120 cycle spaces, dedicated ‘Click and Collect’ spaces and a Grocery Home Shopping delivery docking area to the rear.

Access to the supermarket is planned from Cock Hill Road at the north east boundary, with another access point to the south. Pedestrian links to the Town Centre by way of a sloped walkway and steps to the west are also included in the plans.

But Friends of Killymooney Lough objected to the proposal in light of the growing national and international focus on climate action, the development’s proximity to the adjoining St Clare’s NS, renewed plans by Cavan County Council to develop the Abbeylands area within the town core, and the presence of an existing Aldi supermarket close by.

The potential impact on footfall from the core town centre retail area was also flagged.

The Friends of Killymooney Lough group previously objected to another development in the area - a proposal by Gaeltech Sustainable Living to build 24 houses on a site overlooking Killymooney Lough.

Friends of Killymooney Lough are being represented in their Tesco action against An Bord Pleanala and others by Dublin-based solicitors FP Logue LLP. A spokesperson for the firm said the group did not wish to comment on proceedings while the matter is before the courts.

Until the judicial review process has concluded, Tesco is unable to start work on site, or confirm a tenant for its existing premises, which is currently more than 50 years old.

The Celt previously reported how the multinational groceries and general merchandiser was in “advanced discussions” with another large, but as yet unnamed “retailer”, to take over its existing unit in the centre of Cavan Town.

Tesco has operated in the town for more than two decades after the retailer acquired the former Quinnsworth brand back in 1997.

The supermarket currently employs more than 170 colleagues across two stores in the county (Cavan Town and Bailieborough).

A spokesperson for Tesco told the Celt this week: “We’re disappointed that we’re unable to start the build, which had been planned for Spring with local contractors. We remain hopeful for a positive outcome from the judicial review and committed to bringing an improved shopping experience to our customers in Cavan Town.”