Bord turns down fashion store in retail park

A surprise decision by An Bord Pleanála has left TK Maxx’s shop in a Waterford retail park in limbo and may have implications for other similar parks

THE CONTENTIOUS issue of whether fashion and catalogue multiples should be allowed operate stores in retail parks has been reopened following a decision by An Bord Pleanála blocking the cut-price operator TK Maxx from trading in Butlerstown Retail Park in Waterford.

The company has been operating in the park for about six months and now faces an uncertain future there.

The planning issue came before the board after local property development company, Noel Frisby Construction, objected to the type of goods (cut-price fashion and footwear) being sold by TK Maxx.

Stephanie Taheny, a former planner and a director of Noel Frisby Construction, said that if TK Maxx and other high street traders, such as Argos and Mothercare, were allowed to move to out-of-town locations it would greatly affect Waterford city centre by shrinking the retail market.

She said that planning permission had recently been granted for three retail parks in Waterford city and in all cases conditions were set down limiting their use to the sale of bulky goods and specifically restricting the sale of toys, footwear, sportswear or other clothing.

TK Maxx is understood to be paying a rent of almost €500,000 for 2,415sq m (26,000sq ft) in three adjoining buildings which were amalgamated. The appeals board said that the internal alterations to the units and their amalgamation was not an exempted development.

The board previously ruled that neither Mothercare nor Argos could comply with the current planning guidelines on Butlerstown Retail Park.

The park, which is owned by local businessman Jim Tracey, also has the DIY chain BQ, Halfords, Harvey Norman and Home Focus at Hickeys. Bogle Estate was the letting agent for the park which is located along the city bypass. Jason Millar of Colliers Jackson-Stops advised TK Maxx which already trades in retail parks in Drogheda, Carrickmines, Parkway in Limerick and Blanchardstown.

Ms Taheny, the wife of Noel Frisby, said that two years ago the board granted permission for the redevelopment of Lisduggan shopping centre close by which they own but set restrictive conditions on the sale of clothing, footwear and other comparison goods by one of the tenants, Tesco.

Irish Times

www.buckplanning.ie

Gormley overturns zoning decision at centre of Waterford land probe

A controversial zoning decision in Co Waterford, which is the subject of a on-going garda investigation, has been overturned by Environment minister John Gormley.

His intervention has been strongly criticised by the local mayor, who has accused the minister of "sticking his nose into business" he doesn't understand.

Mr Gormley found that the scale of the building projects included in the Dungarvan Development Plan did not comply with national regulations and should be significantly scaled back.

Sunday Independent

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Businesses call for group to drive progress in €2.4bn city development

BUSINESS leaders in Waterford have called for the establishment of a high-powered group to drive forward the city’s development over the next seven years.

The €2.4 billion Project 2014, launched last summer, is aimed at regenerating Waterford in the coming years.

According to Waterford Chamber president Andrew O’Neill, an “empowered gateway forum” is needed to deliver this project. “The formation of the forum is vital in the context of ensuring Waterford’s ability to realise its full potential and to capitalise on attracting business location opportunities over the course of the next seven years,” said Mr O’Neill.

Project 2014 plans for the city’s €2.7bn redevelopment were presented to a conference last week by city manager Paddy Power and included details of development for the Waterford’s North and South Quays; the development of “government” and “heritage” quarters in the city as well as investments in the arts, community, sports and recreation sectors including an €11m redevelopment of the Regional Sports Centre on the Cork Road.

Speaking about the city bypass in two years, Mr Power said: “It will remove traffic from the city centre. It is intended that planning will begin soon on a park and ride green bus route from Butlerstown to Waterford Port at Belview. Another such route will also be developed from the Dunmore Road.”

Peter Malone of the National Roads Authority cautioned it was now time for investors to “seize the day” in respect of opportunities the new motorway in 2010 will present.

He highlighted the need for organisations to “come together now in order to capitalise on the huge potential which Waterford’s developing infrastructure offers”.

The aims of a new group were announced. Chaired by Bausch & Lomb’s Frank O’Regan, the “Viking Triangle” initiative will see the creation of pedestrian only-areas in historic segments of the city. This development will also provide the potential to revive the residential character of the area, making it a more attractive to enhanced retail opportunities.

“It was planned,” said Frank O’Regan, “to transform Waterford’s unique historical and cultural heritage by 2014 when the city will celebrate the 1100th anniversary of its foundation.

“What we plan is a series of three museums based on 400 yards of streetscape which takes us from Waterford’s beginnings to Victorian times,” he said.

Irish Examiner

Planning for €280m Waterford development

Planning permission for a €280 million development that will create 1,300 jobs was granted in Waterford yesterday.
Work on the development, which will initially create 600 jobs on a 5.1-acre site bordering Michael Street, New Street, Stephen Street and Brown's Lane, will begin in September.
Marketed as Destination Waterford, the development will have 60 shops and a 153-bedroom, four-star hotel, including a conference centre.