Green light for new N55 landmark store

Twenty permanent new jobs are set to be created, and many more through the construction phase of a major new supermarket and filling station on the N55.

A local shop serving motorists and the Mullahoran community alike has secured planning permission to develop a new retail outlet in tandem with the next phase of the N55 road upgrade at Killydoon.

Dacosa Limited, which owns and operates Lynch’s Gala and fuel station at Grousehall, Loughduff, applied to Cavan County Council in October last year for permission to a demolish an existing derelict house (77 sq m) across the road from its existing premises.

The proprietors Paudie and Mags McKenna intend to build a single-storey building (489 sq m) comprising of a retail area with ancillary off-licence use, with a hot and cold food counter.

The new premises will also provide a customer seating area, toilets and ancillary offices, together with storage and food preparation areas.

Speaking to the Celt earlier today, a delighted Paudie said “it’s full steam ahead”.

The couple must wait four weeks for the full planning permission to be issued, but subject to all boxes being ticked, Paudie hopes to move quickly to construction.

“We’d hope to be turning the sod in the next couple of months,” he said, adding that the new store will still face into the village, which will be linked to the new road.

Although the McKennas admit, given inflation in construction materials, they will have to go back to the drawing board as far as pricing and contracts are concerned.

“We hope to quadruple what we do and anticipate creating 20 new jobs when fully operational,” added Paudie.

A new forecourt with pump islands and canopy above will also feature in the development, with three 40,000 litre underground fuel storage tanks set to be installed, along with associated pipework and above ground fill points.

Finally, the plans provide for the construction of a single storey storage building (c. 66 sq.m), the erection of a fuel price sign, and the addition of all ancillary site features including screened storage compound, signage, boundary treatments, drainage systems, landscaping, car parking and other associated site works.

Significant further information and revised plans were submitted by Dacosa Limited as part of the planning process.

New road

Last December Cavan County Council issued tenders for the new section of road at Killydoon.

The 3.7km scheme will see the bypassing of Killydoon with a new road from Corduff to the south of the village, linking two previously upgraded sections.

The scope of works involves the realignment of the road, the construction of five new side roads to link with the old N55 and the realignment of two existing side roads.

Other works, including three new bridges over the River Erne, site clearance, drainage works are included, along with traffic calming measures in Killydoon village.

Cavan County Council previously said it hoped to begin work on the project in early 2022.