The operators of designer outlet shopping destination, Kildare Village have won their battle in seeking to remove "overly restrictive" planning conditions concerning the sale of goods from Village outlets.
This follows Kildare County Council amending planning conditions concerning the operation of Kildare Village that will now allow shops there sell a limited range of non-discounted goods - no more than 10% of any individual store.
The council has granted planning permission only after its Acting Senior Planner over-ruled two planners who signed off on refusing planning permission to the Value Retail Dublin Ltd application.
Operating since 2006, Kildare Village today comprises 125 units, employs 1,500 and attracts 4 million visitors per annum and its brands include Prada, Louise Kennedy and Armani.
Figures provided by planning consultants for Kildare Village, RMLA show that the estimated revenues generated at Kildare Village each year is €182m.
The planning documentation states that the change to the 'no longer fit for purpose' planning conditions will result in an annual uplift of €382,385 in spending at Kildare Village. The ability to sell 10% of non-discounted goods is to apply to up to 70% of Kildare Village outlets.
RMLA told the council that the "incidental sale of non-discounted goods from Kildare Village will not undermine its role as an 'outlet centre' or its main function in specialising in selling discounted goods".
RMLA told the local authority that the sought after flexibility in Kildare Village’s retail offer "will not result in either a quantifiable or qualitative impact on nearby retail centres". The consultants stated that the planning conditions in place limited the ability of Kildare Village to attract global brands.
The council planner’s report reveals that two planners signed off on refusing planning permission on four separate grounds including that the introduction of an element of non-discounted comparison goods "would have a serious detrimental impact on the functioning and regeneration opportunities of the Kildare Town Centre".
The documentation shows that Acting Senior Planner, Aoife Brangan "noted" the refusal recommendation but directed that planning permission be granted after finding that the development is in accordance with the provisions of the Kildare Town Local Area Plan.
Ms Brangan stated that from the change to the planning conditions there would be "negligible retail impact on nearby retail centres which has been calculated to be 0.0107%".
Ms Brangan also pointed out there are only four Kildare Village retailers who have a presence elsewhere in the county and the proposal does not include any additional retail floor space.
Ms Brangan also said that the impact of the proposed change is considered to be "insignificant".
Reporting by Gordon Deegan
