Dublin property developer David Arnold has sought planning permission for a neighbourhood shopping centre at the roundabout on the North Road in Finglas, Dublin 11, after buying the former T P Whelehan premises for almost £3 million (€3.81m). The German discount supermarket chain Lidl is understood to have been the underbidder for the site, which they offered to buy, subject to securing planning permission, for a retail outlet.

The Lisney agency handled the sale of the 1.6-acre site which has warehouse and office facilities and extensive frontages on to both the North Road and St Margaret's Road. Mr Arnold is seeking approval for a two-storey development of 32,000 sq ft which will include shops, restaurants and consulting rooms. Two years ago he developed a slightly smaller neighbourhood centre on the Navan Road, near Cabra, and subsequently sold it on to a group of investors for around £7 million (€8.89m).