US giant Costco is looking again at the Irish market, five years after Bord Pleanala, the planning appeals board, refused permission for a €15m store in west Dublin.
Through its British division, Costco Wholesale UK, the company has made a submission to the department of the environment, which is reviewing the 64,585 sq ft cap on the size of retail warehouses. It has asked that its ‘shopping club’ operation be included in any revision of the planning guidelines. The store proposed for west Dublin was to have been 124,000 sq ft and had been approved by the local council. It was rejected on appeal on the grounds it would have adversely affected local traders.
Environment minister Martin Cullen ordered the review after complaints the cap was restricting competition. Among those recommending it be changed are Tesco Ireland. Musgrave Group, BWG Foods and independents lobby RGDATA are opposed.

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