MITCHELSTOWN DEVELOPMENT TO PROVIDE MULTI MILLION WINDFALL
Aldi have been granted planning permission for the development of a €100 million regional distribution centre in Mitchelstown. In addition to the planned creation of 160 jobs, the development is expected to boost Cork County Council coffers by almost €6m.
Construction on the centre, located on the Galbally road just off the roundabout at The Firgrove Hotel, is expected to commence in the summer. The planning application had detailed the demolition of all the existing buildings on site, previously owned by Dairygold, and the construction of single storey distribution warehouse with associated two storey offices, loading bays, ancillary building to include refuse area, cycle shelter and service station with office space.
This week Cork County Council gave the project the go ahead, subject to a total of 72 conditions. Two of these conditions stipulate that a total of over €5.8 million be paid as contribution to Cork County Council. These conditions, which are standard in line with the council’s General and Development Contributions Scheme, will go towards both specific exceptional costs to the council and as a contribution to financing the public infrastructure from which the development will benefit.
€245,000 of the total sum will be paid under conditions outlined by the council’s general contribution scheme, while just over €5.6million will be paid to the Development Contribution Scheme.
“It is considered appropriate that the developer should contribute towards the cost of public infrastructure and facilities benefiting development in the area of the planning authority, as provided for in the council’s development contributions scheme, made in accordance with section 48 of the 2000 Planning and Development Act, and that the level of contribution payable should increase at a rate which allows both for inflation and for phasing in of the target contribution rates, in the manner specified in that scheme”, the accompanying conditions to the granted planning permission explains.
Aldi, which opened a retail store in Mitchelstown last October, announced that they chose the site off the Mitchelstown relief road just before Christmas last year, having ruled out other potential sites for the development in Nenagh and Limerick.
Local councillor Liam O’Doherty welcomed the news, adding that Aldi’s decision to choose Mitchelstown is indicative of what the town has to offer.
“They came here off their own backs,” Cllr O’Doherty told The Avondhu, “they were not given any grant or incentive to come to Mitchelstown, they obviously see it as a town with great potential for them. The jobs this development will produce will be a big boost to the area”.
Fianna Fail councillor Kevin O’Keeffe praised the “efficient” manner in which the application was processed.
“The council greatly facilitated the planning process, and I hope the concerns of the community have been addressed. This is a great boost for jobs in the region considering the tough few years we have had”.
Published:
Friday 2nd May 9:48am
