DEVELOPERS who narrowly failed to get a material contravention to build a 2,276sqm Tesco supermarket in a West Cork town are going to resubmit the application, along with another major retail proposal.
Last December Richard Coffey and Donal Hunt saw their €15 million plan for a supermarket at Newtown, Bantry, shot down by county councillors. Two-thirds of the 48 councillors were needed to vote in favour of rezoning the land if the project was to proceed.
Instead of getting the magic 36-plus votes in their favour the developers fell short by two, even though county manager Martin Riordan had recommended a yes vote.
Mr Coffey said he hoped the rezoning would be successful this time, especially as the town needed the 150 full and part-time jobs the project would generate.
Bantry is an unemployment blackspot, registering a 294% increase in the number signing on the live register in recent times.
"Tesco Ireland is 100% committed and has budgeted for the project which they indicate would commence immediately should a grant of planning permission issue," Mr Coffey said.
The two developers also plan to submit a plan for a major redevelopment of part of the town centre, costing an estimated €25m.
That plan will also be submitted shortly and will be financed from the profits made from the Tesco deal.
Mr Coffey said that the project centred on redeveloping the Vickery area of the town, incorporating Vickery’s Hotel, Dix Jewellery Shop, Kiddy Kare and the World Choice building on New Street.
"This development will create further jobs in the construction industry and more full-time employment in the retail sector for the local community," Mr Coffey said.
"In addition this will totally re-invigorate the town centre which will also attract major tourism to the area. Both projects are closely interlinked and are vital to the economic future and viability of Bantry," he added.
Irish Examiner
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