More delay for new Lidl supermarket planned in Laois town

A new delay has hit the planning application by Lidl Ireland for a new Laois supermarket.

The German founded discount supermarket chain is planning to build its fourth supermarket in the county, in Mountmellick town centre.

Their Laois business plan was first approved by Laois County Council in April 2026, to the general warm welcome of local residents.

However neighbours of the site, the derelict former Nissan Chevrolet Central Garage, appealed the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP).

The national planning commission was due to make their final decision on August 27, but they now say they need more time.

“It is a statutory objective to ensure that every appeal received is determined within eighteen weeks.. In accordance with the Planning and Development Act.

“Where it appears that it would not be possible or appropriate to determine a particular appeal within this period, a notice must be sent to the parties. The Commission hereby serves notice that it will not be possible to determine the case within the statutory period due to the complexity of the case.

“The Commission regrets the delay… (it) now intends to determine the above appeal before 19th November 2026. The Commission will take all such steps as are open to it to ensure that the appeal is determined before that date,” they said in a letter to all parties concerned.

ACP gave details to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

“This case is ongoing with a revised decision date for decision of 18 November 2026 and parties have been notified, accordingly.

“The case file is with the Planning Inspector for a report with recommendation once received it will be forwarded to the Commission for decision.”

The plan is for the demolition of eight vacant buildings including the garage and adjacent houses, and construction of the food store supermarket, on Emmett Street, part of the N80 road through the town.

If it does get final approval, Lidl says it the supermarket would take six months to build, after the demolition work is completed, and it will create 30 permanent jobs. They say that the development represents a significant investment of more than €6.5 million in the local area.

The supermarket is eagerly awaited by many locals, who signed a petition in support saying it will bring much needed competition and shopping choice to Mountmellick.

The appeal had been brought by a couple whose house adjoins a house to be demolished.

Through their solicitors, their submission stated that they have a High Court case in progress against Laois County Council for allegedly damaging their house during footpath works.

They had feared “further damage” to it by the Lidl project and had asked for consultation between all parties.

Last June the council sent a letter as requested to An Coimisiún Pleanála, clarifying some of the conditions they had set when approving Lidl’s plan, such as that “all public and private property to be adequately protected at all times particularly during demolition and construction works”.

Lidl already has Laois supermarkets in Portlaoise, Portarlington and most recently, Graiguecullen.