Aldi Receives Approval for Sixth Waterford Store

Waterford City and County Council has granted planning permission to Aldi Stores (Ireland) Limited for a new discount retail store on the Carrickpherish Road in Gracedieu, Waterford. The development represents a significant investment in the local economy and will add to Aldi’s existing five stores in the county.

Project Details

The approved development will encompass a 0.905-hectare site and feature a single-story discount retail store with an off-license. The store will provide 1,367 square meters of net retail floor area and include an internal deposit return scheme (DRS) unit. Waterford News reports the project will as well include 85 car parking spaces and 18 bicycle parking spaces.

Planning Process and Community Input

The planning application was initially submitted in May 2025, with additional information requested by the Council in July 2025. WLRFM notes that conditional planning permission was granted on February 26th, 2026, subject to sixteen conditions.

Concerns were raised during the planning process, particularly by the principal of Waterford Educate Together National School, Patrick Pender, who opposed a potential site entrance located near the school, citing safety concerns for pedestrians. A traffic assessment report, however, concluded that the development would not negatively impact traffic flow in the area. Waterford News

Financial Contribution and Land History

Aldi will contribute €39,000 to Waterford City and County Council as part of the development agreement. The land, currently owned by Kingscroft Development Ltd, was previously earmarked for a mixed-leverage residential development, but that plan was refused permission. A previous application by Lidl for a store on the same site was also denied. Independent.ie

Expansion in Waterford

This new store will be Aldi’s sixth in County Waterford, joining existing locations in City Square, Ardkeen, Kingsmeadow, Tramore and Dungarvan. Independent.ie