SuperValu to anchor proposed new Tullamore neighbourhood centre
With supermarket giant Aldi set to open a second store in Tullamore town centre, the local grocery market could be set to expand further with plans being lodged with Offaly County Council this week for a new neighbourhood centre on Collins Lane involving a major SuperValu supermarket.
The applicant, Cedarglade Ltd., with an address at Musgrave House in Cork, has sought planning permission for a 2,100 sq m supermarket, a 240 sq m cafe with outside seating, a 110 sq m pharmacy, a 78 sq m shop, 135 car parking spaces and 26 bicycle spaces on lands at Collins Lane which are owned by Golden Vale Co-op Mart Limited.
Cedarglade Ltd, is a subsidiary of Musgraves, which is the company behind the SuperValu and Centra brands.
The planning report in support of the application contains details of the SuperValu brand, which is part of the Musgrave Group, and states that the current proposal for Tullamore has the potential for roll out of a number of high-end food products within their offering. It also states that the brand “also have the potential to offer local services such as a local post office.”
The site is located 2km north of Tullamore town centre, and in close proximity to the Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall, the Educate Together primary school and the recently-completed Hawthorns housing development.
The planning report notes that the Collins Lane area has been the subject of “significant development in recent years” and references planning permission having been granted for six new residential developments which will bring a total of 1,554 new people to the surrounding area “and all within walking distance of the subject site.”
It adds that the proposed development will “add to the vibrancy of the area” and will deliver a new street frontage along Collins Lane which will “significantly improve on the current condition” of the area.
The existing site is described in the planning report as being “under-utilised” and notes that there is “an urgent need for a retail development of this nature” within the northern area of Tullamore. It describes the vision of the proposed scheme as being one which will create “a unique sense of place with a strong community identity characterised by the public plaza to act as a prominent focal point set within the area.”
Public realm upgrades as part of the proposed development will “transform the currently underutilised site and together with surrounding recently permitted development will create a quality mixed use environment” according to the applicants.
Offaly County Council is due to make a decision on the application lodged by Cedarglade Ltd by July 21 next.