IKEA Granted Planning Permission

Plans for massive Ikea store move step closer

11 October 2006 14:02
Plans to build a 30,000-square metre Ikea store in Ballymun, which would be the biggest retail outlet of its kind in the State, have moved a step further.

RTÉ News has learnt that Fingal County Council has granted the Swedish furniture giant planning permission.

However, the local authority has set down some 32 conditions for the development, 14 of which relate to transport issues and fears that the store could cause congestion in the area and on the nearby M50.

The conditions that must be met include the upgrade of the Ballymun junction of the M50 or alternative measures such as provision of sliproads to ensure the freeflow of traffic.

Improvements to local roads, provision of cycling and pedestrian lanes, restricted parking as well as the operation of a shuttle bus service between the store and Ballymun town every 20 minutes are also required.

A senior manger must be appointed to look at increasing use of public transport and a revised traffic plan must be submitted to the council in advance of the store opening.

An independent consultant will monitor traffic trends afterwards.

Strict opening hours are also laid down: the store must not open before 9.40am on weekdays and must stay open until 10pm.

Ikea received the news of the decision this morning and a spokeswoman said they view it as an important step in opening their first store in Ireland.

The date of the opening, due next year, will depend on appeals to An Bord Pleanála and whether there will be an oral hearing.

Ikea spokes person on the radio this morning saying they lodged Dublin application and Belfast one on the same day, Belfast open today and Dublin still in planning. Sums everything wrong with our planning. One of those unionist politicans will be pointing out shortly this point as an example of how uncompetitive the republic is.

They were not lodged on the same day. Dublin was actaully lodged at least 3 months prior to Belfast. Dublin was lodged at the end of February, while Belfast was lodged at the end of May. Further re-iterates the point though.