Tesco’s Stranorlar plans are appealed to ABP

The ‘will they won’t they’ Tesco situation in Stranorlar continues with news that the latest council permission for a super store in the town has been appealed to An Bord Pleanala.
The council approved the companies latest plans within the last month but the RG-DATA group has appealed the decision to the planning board.
Last year Tesco Ireland lodged an application with Donegal County Council to build a 330 square metre food store at Donegal Road along with associated car parking and vehicle access.
This just a month after the company withdrew an application, also for a 300 square metre store one week after an objection was lodged by the Retail, Grocery, Dairy and Allied Trades Association.
Tesco have argued that the proposed development adheres to all policies and objectives outlined in the Ballybofey-Stranorlar local area plan.
The company says  the proposed store will support and promote the development of retail activities in the Twin Towns and will improve the competitiveness of the town.
Tesco aquired the site in 2004 and there first application in 2005 was refused planning permission by AnBord Pleanla.
In the past  RG-DATA said the development would be more appropriate in “the existing commercial core” of Ballybofey and would have an “adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Stranorlar’s existing town centre.