IKEA Planning Hearing

Written by Administrator March 26, 2007

Traffic concerns were top of the agenda as the hearing over Ikea's proposed 322,800 sq. ft. store in North Dublin got under way on 20th March. Objectors to the outlet in Ballymun (adjacent to the M50) include local resident Patrick Brown, the National Roads Authority, Treasury Holdings, Eamon Ryan TD, Councillor David Healey of the Green Party, Tesco, Grafton Group, and the Irish Hardware and Building Materials Association.

Ikea plans to invest Ł3.7m in road upgrades. The hearing began with a series of presentations to the appeals inspector, who will listen to evidence before writing a report for members of the appeals board - An Bord Pleanála. It is then expected to take between three and six months for a decision to be made.

In October 2006, Fingal County Council granted permission for the store subject to 32 conditions. It believed the congestion would have "business threatening implications" for Tesco. Treasury Holdings is redeveloping a local shopping centre.

Ikea hopes to open by May 2008.

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