Plans for a new Aldi store in Cootehill, Co Cavan, have been appealed.
The case has been referred to An Bord Pleanála after Cavan County Council approved the store's construction last month.
Aldi plans to open its new store in Cootehill in April or May of next year, after getting the green light from Cavan County Council.
However, retail group RGDATA, which represents independent family grocers, has lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanála claiming there is "little real synergy" between the proposed Aldi store and the rest of the town.
It also argues that the plans are "contrary to the Cavan Retail Strategy" of re-using vacant or underutilised buildings and will pull activity away from established commercial properties.
RGDATA says there is a "high level of commercial vacancy in Cootehill" and these properties should be re-used or re-developed instead and that the planning application submitted by Aldi should be "invalidated" by its reference to a "discount store".
The submission to An Bord Pleanála says this is a "misleading" and "inaccurate term", and that the development should be described as a "retail store".
RGDATA also claims that "no archaeological appraisal has been undertaken" and that the Aldi's plans "lack respect for its context and setting" and would "undermine and severely impact the character" of St Michael's Church.
The case is due to be decided by the fourth of July.
