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DISCOUNT RETAILER DEALZ faces the potential shuttering of a store in Wexford after losing a planning battle over the unauthorised outlet.
Last year, Poundland Limited applied for permission to retain the use of a warehouse in Clonard Retail Park in Wexford, where it has operated a Dealz store since August 2015.
Planning guidelines from the local council state that only businesses involved in the sale of “bulky goods” can trade from the retail park unit. However, the operator of Dealz wanted permission to operate from the unit for a period of seven years.
In a submission document to planning authorities, Dealz said it intends to relocate to a nearby location shortly.
Workers at the store also filed submissions to the council and raised concerns that their jobs could be lost if the store is closed, while Tesco called for the outlet to be closed in order to “avoid a detrimental impact on the town”.
However Wexford council ruled that the retailer broke planning laws by opening the store, adding that Dealz’s actions would have an adverse affect on the area by bringing footfall away from the town centre.
In a bid to overturn the local authority’s ruling, the British retailer appealed to An Bord Pleanála. In its objection, Dealz argued that Wexford council’s planning policy wasn’t being enforced consistently.
It said there are several firms within the retail park that do not comply with zoning policy for the retail park, including Woodies DIY, Home Focus, Petmania and Halfords.
It added that fast-food joint KFC and supermarket operator Aldi were previously granted planning permission to trade in the area despite “materially contravening the land-use zoning objective”.
An Bord Pleanála, however, recently upheld Wexford council’s decision.
An inspector for the national planning body said in their assessment that Dealz hadn’t provided evidence that its store “would not have a detrimental impact on the vitality and viability of the town centre”.
The inspector added that, in their opinion, the outlet had the potential to have an adverse affect on Wexford Town and it contradicted zoning laws set out in the council’s development plan.
Dealz had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication. The company has the option of appealing the decision to the High Court in order to have it overturned.
Analysis
The planning dispute between Dealz and Wexford council mirrors a similar feud that erupted in south Dublin last year.
The company was refused permission by South Dublin County Council to use a unit in Fonthill Retail Park for one of its stores.
The company was already operating a store, employing around 30 people, in the Dublin retail park and sought permission to retain the use of the unit, which was earmarked for the sale of bulky goods.
Previous Fora analysis showed that Dealz had a track record for retrospectively applying for planning permission for aspects of its developments that were included without prior consent. Those cases span 15 different counties.
The approach has resulted in the company becoming embroiled in over a dozen disputes with county councils nationwide. Limerick council previously brought legal action against Dealz over a planning dispute, however the case was resolved out of court.
Written by Killian Woods and posted on Fora.ie
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Didn’t Starbucks adopt a similar approach in trading from stores and seeking planning permission later? It would appear that this strategy hasn’t gone unnoticed.
http://www.thejournal.ie/starbucks-no-planning-permission-2-3891623-Mar2018/
@Sean:
Common enough tactic by a lot in retail – a few chancers tried it with houses too!
The issue here appears to be trying to use a wholesale use ‘zone’ for retailing; taking folk (and their cars, mind) away from the town centre and other shopping outlets.
All the other shops there sell small items. And it helps keep traffic away from the narrow streets of the town. Perfect.
@Ian James Burgess: it’s a great spot Ian you have everything nice parking ALDI is there for weekly shop and food is nice in KFC for a quick lunch
@Jonathan Power: Have to disagree about the KFC. The worst I’ve ever had. Always dirty and most of the staff have a terrible attitude.
@Darren McCormack: maybe you are the problem!!!!
@CtrlAltDel: Maybe
What a load of cods wallop. Why can’t they trade there that area is absolutely Huge you could park about 50 artic lorries there.
I wonder why they have no issues with Mr Price who are trading two doors down from this Dealz store. They sell exactly the same types of items.
@Gillian Duggan White: I wonder what Home Focus and Halford sell that qualifies as “bulky goods” too? It seems like there’s one rule for some businesses but not for others.
The best small country in the world for business
The owners of Deals are in administration! They have shut hundreds of stories in UK. They might not be around next year.
@Martin Sinnott: poundworld is in administration not Poundland who own dealz, similar names but are rival companies
@John Meade: @John Meade: There has been some mention of this in the news. Steinhoff are the owners of Poundland. They have come through a difficult spell but might now survive. Who knows?
They obviously prefer the idea that it’s easier to ask for forgiveness rather than ask permission. Hasn’t worked here though!
All the shops there sell small goods. Probably the only one conforming to the bulky goods rule is the carpet sellers.
Dealz are one of the few supermarkets that always has Dr Pepper. Fortunately they have a second store on Main Street.
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