Further Information request for Aldi came as no surprise
The request for further information on the Aldi development by Roscommon Co Co really really came as no surprise, but the detail of the information required may not have been expected. This application is one of the biggest planning applications to come before the local authority in Boyle town for many years and further information requests are so common now in this county that you could be asked for one if you sought planning permission for a garden shed.
Research shows that Aldi has received further information requests on a notable portion of its recent planning applications. It is estimated that between 2022-2024, allegedly 30-40% of Aldi’s new stores or expansion applications required significant further information. Common reasons for these requests included traffic impact assessments, environmental concerns and design modifications. So FI’s are not new to Aldi, but it remains to be seen whither the extensive list sought by Roscommon Co Co is seen as achievable or cumbersome by the company, but going by past applications, Aldi are most likely working on a response as you read this.
When they do hopefully reply, the Planning Authority may consider Aldi’s response to the FI requests to be ‘significant further information’ which could then involve a longer process and if planning is granted, it can then be appealed to An Bord Pleanala.
Aldi (Ireland) Ltd now have 6 months in which to respond to the request for further information.
Let’s hope that the company keep their faith in Boyle and come up with satisfactory answers to the FI requests so that we get this much needed development for our town.
In reality, at this point in time, the project is now out of the hands of the people of Boyle but in the mean time, we must keep hope alive and talk of all the positives we have in Boyle and build on and support all the other developments that are planned for the town.
Five points of note in relation to the Aldi development
- The project has not been rejected. Further information has been requested from the applicant.
- There were 5 submissions published on the planning application with one redacted. Only two of the submissions requested a refusal – one from an individual in Co. Offaly and the other from RGDATA.
- There were 5 submissions to this planning application here in Boyle. When Aldi sought planning permission in Carrick -on-Shannon, there were submissions from An Taisce, HSE, Department Arts and Heritage, NRA and a number of individuals. It got permission.
- Tesco or Lidl never applied for planning permission for any development in Boyle. Fact.
- Roscommon Co Co are not the people holding up progress in Boyle. It’s the keyboard warriors that are posting mistruths and negative and misleading comments online along with social media pages who are allowing those comments to be published without moderation. Imagine if you were not from the town and planning to open a business in Boyle and you read these comments, calling the town “a s*it hole” and a “town of objectors” – what would you do?
Misleading article on Boyle public realm
There was an interesting, but somewhat misleading article in last week’s Sunday Independent under the heading “As the shape of Irish towns is being steadily eroded, why is nobody trying to shout ‘stop’?”. The online version of the story featured a photograph of people recently protesting against the public realm work in Ballaghaderreen which included a banner saying “Boyle stands with Ballaghaderreen”. In the newspaper article, Journalist Conor Skehan asks “What is common to Ballaghaderreen, Sandymount, Drury Street, Strokestown, Camden Street, Castlerea, Malahide and Boyle?“. He goes on to suggest “They are all locations of recent attempts by local businesses or residents to prevent so-called ‘public realm’ projects and permissions”.
Here in Boyle there was no recent attempt to block the public realm work. There was disquiet by some, but no protests or public gatherings to stop the work. In fact many now compliment the public realm upgrades on Main Street and Bridge Street with enquires being made as to when other streets in town will receive a similar upgrade.
Viewers may recall back in 2020, a major town enhancement project was unveiled that included the Crescent, Bridge Street and Shop Street, but at the time, a number of submissions were received on the Crescent aspect of the plan, mostly relating to loss of parking. The result was the Crescent enhancement aspect of the overall plan was dropped and the Bridge Street and Shop Street element progressed. Perhaps Mr Skehan was referring to this in his article, but five years ago is not ‘recent’. He may also have been mislead by the sign ‘Boyle stands with Ballaghaderreen’ at the Ballaghaderren protest, which was not representative of the views of the wider community in the town of Boyle.
Could Boyle become a ‘Smart Town’?
A document that is still referred to as the role model for the redevelopment of rural towns across Ireland is the ‘Boyle 2040’ plan. The plan was referred to in detail recently when Fingal Co Co came to town to see all the developments that have happened here. The Plan was launched by Boyle Town Team and Roscommon Co Co in 2021 and has a number of visions for the town over the next few years – some have been achieved, others are being worked on and there are also a few that may be aspirational but could easily be achieved over time. One vision that is achievable and is suggested in the Plan is making Boyle a ‘Smart Town’. The plan states: “Boyle 2040 Smart Town will use information and communication technology (ICT ) to improve the quality of life for its residents. The town will use technology to make Boyle more accessible, healthier and productive for its residents. Smart interventions in the town can be delivered through a range of means, for example electronically phased access times for roads or publicly displayed digital information on town parking, accommodation, events etc. The potential benefits which can accrue for Boyle by embracing new technologies and moving forward as a smart town can include improvements in how the town functions through key areas including but not limited to; movement and access, energy provision, built and natural environment management”.
Smart Boyle Innovations that were suggested include: 1. A Greenway-Loop urban movement app or dash board 2. The movement of traditional retail businesses online, emphasizing local distinctiveness and the
Boyle brand. 3. Town Information moving online including; • Live visitor accommodation availability
& check-in information • Virtual walking tours of historic town • A live community transport app supported
by local transport providers • Live bike rental and car park capacity information.
Locals need to use the free town car parks
While employees and business owners continue to use on street parking for their cars and vans and while members of the public abuse our free parking by abandoning their vehicles on double yellow lines and footpaths around town – without repercussion, we will always have so called ‘parking problems’ in Boyle. We have free car parks in An Rioga, The Crescent, around the Hall and off Green Street and these car parks need to be utilised by ‘locals’ leaving the streets free for those who are visiting our town. In addition, the lining out of Green Street car park and around the Hall would make a big difference and orderly parking would result in additional spaces being available in those designated car parks.
News snippets from around Boyle
Spanish classes start on May 1st in Boyle Family Resource Centre. Beginners at 10.45 – Intermediate at 12 noon. To book email [email protected] or call 071 9663000…………Action urgently needs to be taken in relation to speeding cars on the approach roads to Boyle, and in particular early morning, when there is a belief that there is no one on the roads. The Mockmoyne Road, Carrick Road, Abbeytown Road and coming into town from Greatmeadow are race tracks by those heading to work at 8am or 9am. It’s only a matter of time before a pedestrian is hit by a speeding car in these areas……..Applications for volunteers for Night and Day Festival are now open. If you want to be part of the Night and Day team and work 2 X 4 hour shifts in exchange for a weekend festival ticket fill in the application form here……….Boyle Athletic Club ‘Couch to 5k’ returns this and every Tuesday for 8 weeks at 7.30pm…….Coffee Morning this morning (Friday) 10.30am-12.30pm in Boyle Credit Union to mark the arrival of Current Accounts for Boyle and Keadue members. Enjoy delicious cupcakes from Kamila’s Catering and learn how the new Current Account could make everyday banking easier. All welcome……..On Saturday, Lough Key parkrun are holding an information morning for aspiring and current Run Directors, regular volunteers, people who’d like to join the core team and people who just want to know more about parkrun in general. It will take place at 11am in the Moylurg Room after parkrun and everyone is welcome to join us……. A great tidy up by the Tidy Town volunteers this week at the first Gate of Rockingham and cycle path and also on the Sligo Road…….Boyle Film Club Movie Night tonight Friday in Boyle Family Resource Centre commencing at 7.30pm……….Monthly constituent clinic with Deputy Claire Kerrane and Councillor Leah Cull in the Spool Factory this Saturday by appointment only……….Bank of Ireland in Boyle are seeking permission for the replacement of ATM to existing front facade along with minor internal alterations……..“The Men Who Knew Too Much” will take to the stage in King House this Saturday evening at 7.30pm with the last remaining tickets (€15) available from 087 144 4739………Ballinafad man Gerard Shannon is taking part in the Pfizer Ireland Cycle on June 20th and 21st 2025. Together with 250 of his Pfizer colleagues and friends, Gerard will take to the road for a 280+ km two-day journey from Pfizer Grange Castle (Dublin), via Pfizer Newbridge (Kildare) and on to Pfizer Ringaskiddy (Cork) in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. All support appreciated here.
And finally…..!
A doctor wanted to get off work and go golfing, so he approached Tom the janitor.
“I am going golfing tomorrow and don’t want to close the clinic. I want you to take care of the clinic and take care of all my patients and I’ll give you €200.”
“No problem” says the janitor.
The doctor goes golfing, returns the following day and asks: “So, Tom, how was your day?”
Tom told him that he took care of three patients. “The first one had a headache so I gave him paracetamol.”
“Brilliant Tom”! The second one?” asks the doctor.
“The second one had a bad stomach and I gave him Gaviscon.” says Tom.
“Mighty”! You’re good at this and what about the third one?” asks the Doctor.
“Well Sir, I was sitting here having a smoke and suddenly the door flies opens and a woman enters. Like a flame, she undresses herself, lies down on the table and shouts: Help me – I haven’t seen a man in over two years.”
“Oh my God Tom!!! What did you do?”
“Sure what do you think I did – I put drops in her eyes”!!
