Aldi plans major new Tullamore development
Supermarket giant Aldi has signalled plans for a major new development in the centre of Tullamore.
Aldi Stores (Ireland) Limited this week sought planning permission for a substation and switch room on part of the site of the former home of the Texas department store in recent days.
The company has remained tightlipped on its plans.
The Offaly Independent revealed two years ago that Aldi was earmarked for the retail outlet proposed as part of the Weavermay development.
This week, in planning documents submitted to Offaly County Council, agents for the company confirmed the details.
They said: "The applicant, Aldi Stores (Ireland) Limited, seek planning permission for a substation and switch room in the northeast corner of a car park serving a mixed use development including an Aldi discount foodstore."
The store is planned to be located with its back to O'Connell Street, adjacent to the Offaly History Centre.
Aldi already has a substantial presence in Tullamore with a large store located at the Cloncollig Industrial Estate on the outskirts of the town and just off the bypass.
The location of the proposed new development is on a site between O’Connell Street and Offaly Street which was subject of a successful planning application in March of this year by Weavermay Ltd.
It sought to develop a 0.73 hectare portion of the old ‘Texas’ site, with their plans to include a 1,644 square metre retail store (to include off licence use); a three-storey 874 square metre retail/office unit and a two-storey 281 square metre café.
The ambitious project also makes provision for car and bicycle parking, a new pedestrian and cycle walkway between Offaly Street and O’Connell Street, and pedestrian and cycle access to Offaly Street.
The old ‘Texas’ site was purchased by Weavermay Ltd, and Cayenne Holdings in 2018 and was later divided in half, by agreement of both parties, each of whom have different plans for their respective sites.
The site notice which was erected on the site on Monday of this week, states that the single-storey ESB substation and switch room will cover circa 22 sqm and will replace three parking spaces.
Submissions or observations in relation to the upcoming planning application can be made within the next five weeks.
Demolition works have been underway on the site for the past number of weeks with a substantial portion of what was once the thriving Texas department store already removed.
The area, which is zoned as an ‘opportunity site’ in the Offaly County Development Plan, has been an major eyesore in the centre of the town for more than a decade and there has been a broad welcome from the local community to the news that the area is to be developed.
A spokesperson for Aldi said they had no comment to make on the new planning application or Tullamore development.