The 2016-2022 Wicklow County Development plan notes about Baltinglass that “the town serves the local town and hinterland population, providing mainly local convenience-based shopping and service opportunities." This kind of retail outlet no longer filulfils the retail needs of this growing community.
Baltinglass and surrounding communities utilise the local services in Baltinglass on a daily basis, 2 small supermarkets and a couple of smaller shops. In order to do their large weekly shop, we need to go to Carlow, Tullow or Blessington to access to the nearest Aldi, a 40+km round trip in most cases. In 2016 these local populations amounted to 4638. We estimate that this, in addition to the population of Baltinglass amounts to well over 7000 individuals. We expect that the 2021 census will confirm a much higher figure.
The Baltinglass Branching Out grassroots group carried out a survey at the end of 2020 found that the overwhelming majority of people want a large lowcost retail supermarket such as Aldi/Lidl/Dunnes etc in our town.
The 2016-2022 Wicklow County Development Plan also stated that the town of Baltinglass's development is somewhat constrained by a shortfall of retail services and employment opportunities.
The new Wicklow County Development Plan should recognise that with a growing population the town of Baltinglass is in need of a large supermarket so that residents can do their grocery shopping locally. A large low cost supermarket would keep spending in the town and the knock - on effect on other smaller businesse would be huge. It would also supply much needed employment opportunities.
People with families, and those on lower incomes would benifit as would many who cannot drve to supermarkets as mentioned above.
Wicklow County Council should engage with members of Baltinglass community groups e.g baltingrows@gmail.com in order to recognise better the need and desire for this type of retail provider in the town. The proposal that a large supermarket be included in the Planhas been ratified by our Councillors and sites have been suggested.
The development of this would also fulfill Goal 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
While we welcome the commitment from the Council to facilitate and support the development of a new supermarket for Baltinglass, Can special attention be given to zoning of lands outside the centre of the town - as this is where large supermarket chains such as Aldi and Lidl are usually situated.
We would appreciate this considertion being included in the Plan.
While we welcome the commitment from the Council to faciliate and support the development of a new large supermarket for Baltinglass we feel that attention must be given to zoning of lands outside the centre of the town, as large supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl often situate their stores there.
We propose to change below
A....BALTX1: To facilitate and support the development of a new supermarket on land zoned town centre that will improve the retail offer for Baltinglass and the surrounding area and will support a healthy and vibrant town centre.
TO
B.....BALTX1: To facilitate and support the development of a new supermarket on zoned land that will improve the retail offer for Baltinglass and the surrounding area and will support a healthy and vibrant town.