Supermarket Giant Aldi have issued a statement today about the delay in a planning appeal decision for its proposed Cootehill store in Co Cavan.
The planning decision is now 60 weeks overdue and counting according to the German discount store.
The retailer used the situation to highlight how such delays are hitting shoppers in their pocket in terms of their regular shop. According to the report published by DCU’s Anthony Foley and Aldi, the say consumers across Ireland are losing out on savings of €78,333 every month due a hold in the appeals process.
An Bord Pleanála has a statutory deadline of 18-weeks to reach a decision, however Aldi’s proposed Cootehill development is still awaiting a decision, some 14 months on. As a result the report suggests that Cavan shoppers alone have missed out on €1m worth of savings.
Furthermore, the report estimates that these delays across the country result in €1.7 million per month being lost in spending with ALDI suppliers, 330 of whom are local Irish companies. This includes three of ALDI’s local suppliers based in County Cavan.
“The Financial Impact of Ireland’s Planning System Delays on Irish Consumers” details that of the 16 appeals of ALDI planning applications made to An Bord Pleanála over the five-year period, 13 experienced decision delays resulting in total savings forgone to consumers of almost €10 million.
