Lidl by Lidl, Buncrana store set to grow across the road
Lidl Ireland GmbH has been granted planning permission to build a 50% bigger supermarket across the road from its current premises in Buncrana.
Lidl Ireland GmbH has been granted planning permission to build a 50% bigger supermarket across the road from its current premises in Buncrana.
The approved plans will see the German retailer build a new discount foodstore and off-licence (with mono-pitch roof and internal mezzanine plant deck) measuring 2,356 sqm gross floor space with a net retail sales area of 1,497 sqm on McCarter's Rd.
The new single-storey building will be constructed on the two-acre site, situated across the road from their current shop and adjacent to Aldi supermarket and beside the former Buncrana Medical Centre.
The supermarket giant has also been given the green light for a car parking area and internal traffic and pedestrian circulation routes, and a vehicular entrance, as the current access point is to be closed off and relocated closer to Aldi and away from the T-junction where it currently sits.
Other developments included in the permission are a free-standing and building-mounted signage, trolley bay structure, external refrigeration and air handling/conditioning plant and equipment, electricity sub-station building, roof-mounted solar panels, and public lighting.
Lidl first opened its shop in Buncrana in 2004. In 2013, the retail premises underwent a refurbishment with the addition of a bakery and freezer area in the store.
Lidl Ireland had stated in their application why they were seeking to move to the premises across the road, as the current store, “though well-used, is smaller and outdated. Relocating to the new, larger site enables the delivery of a modern retail environment with improved layout, accessibility, and sustainability features.”
“The existing premises are undersized and otherwise inadequate to cater for current and emerging customer requirements,” Lidl outlined in their Planning Statement.
The car park for the retailer will have a total of 108 spaces, including six disabled spaces, four parent and child spaces, and two EV charging points. It will also include six bicycle spaces.
The project is expected to create between five and ten additional full-time jobs, boosting local employment and contributing an estimated €500,000 annually in wages to the area.
If timelines proceed as planned, construction could begin in early 2028, with the new store opening in spring 2029.
Lidl Ireland also outlined in their application that it is intended that the existing store “will be repurposed under a subsequent planning application. It is envisaged that the unit could be used for lower order comparison/ bulky goods; however, the ultimate end user is not yet known.”
Donegal County Council approved the project with 18 conditions attached. These include requirements around road surfacing, drainage systems, parking layout and construction hours, which will be limited to weekdays and Saturdays, excluding Sundays and public holidays.
Environmental and operational safeguards have also been imposed, such as ensuring waste storage does not contaminate drainage systems and limiting noise levels during business hours. Solar energy generated on-site will be restricted for use by the store unless otherwise agreed.
A development contribution of €31,806 must be paid by Lidl towards local infrastructure before construction begins.