Appeals have been lodged with An Bord Pléanála against a decision by Nenagh Town Council to grant permission for a multi-million-euro residential and business development on the outskirts of the town in Co Tipperary.
The local authority granted the permission to the Stereame Partnership, opening the way for a €115 million retail and residential development.
The developers plan to transform 38 hectares of land on the Limerick side of Nenagh into a shopping, warehousing and residential area.
Nenagh Civic Alliance and Nenagh Traders and Development Association lodged an objection to the proposal, as did the owner of the Abbey Court Hotel, Mr J.P. Ryan.
The two groups have appealed the decision of the council on the grounds that the proposed development would undermine the town centre and compromise the successful regeneration of the historic centre.
In their objection the groups claim the Stereame project runs contrary to Government guidelines and plans, including the National Spatial Strategy, retail planning guidelines, the Nenagh Development Plan 2000 and the North Tipperary Retail Strategy.
Their objection adds that the development would make no positive contribution to the town and could affect the "economic viability" of the town centre.