The State's first discount designer village in Kill, Co Kildare, will become one of the biggest tourist attractions in Ireland if it goes ahead, an oral hearing has been told.
The claim was made by Mr Dermot Gleeson SC on behalf of Irish International Tourist Outlets Ltd at the hearing chaired by An Bord Pleanala.
The multi-million-pound complex at Goffs, with 45 outlets selling surplus designer labels at a discount of up to 70 per cent, has already received planning permission from Kildare County Council subject to 50 conditions.
However, three groups lodged objections with the planning appeals board, claiming that instead of creating spin-offs for the local economy the development would have a devastating effect on trade.
Units at the mall would sell top-brand footwear, clothing and table goods. The single-storey centre is expected to generate an annual turnover of £20 million, 60 per cent of this from tourism, according to the applicants.
Mr Gleeson said the spin-offs would be considerable. The development would see the creation of 400 jobs, 300 of these full-time, leading to higher spending in Co Kildare.
However, a Progressive Democrats councillor, Mr Timmy Conway, said the village would sound the death-knell of the commercial life of Naas. He also argued that the N7 would be unable to cater for increased traffic, that the junction at Goffs was potentially dangerous and that an underpass was inadequate to deal with the volume of traffic.
Mr John O'Sullivan, planning officer with An Taisce, said the roads design section of Kildare County Council had recommended refusing the development.
Naas and District Traders said if the village had been proposed for the outskirts of Naas, and not four miles away, they might have welcomed it.
The hearing continues.