Tegral's E75m expansion plan for Athy likely to see work start in early 2011
A E75million investment is on the way for Athy after Tegral was given the go-ahead for plans to upgrade to a new greenfield site in the town.
The process has taken two years but last week An Bord Pleanla upheld planning permission, which was granted by Kildare County Council, for the company's proposed development of new production facilities in Athy.
Athy's skilled workforce and the site's proximity to the town and wastewater treatment plant were among the top reasons cited for the plans being approved.
The company, which has been in the area for 70 years, said it will now evaluate the planning conditions with work on the new site likely to begin some time next year.
Plans were lodged in March 2008 by the Tegral Group for the development of new state-of-the-art production facilities 3km from the town centre on the Monasterevin Road.
A third-party appeal lodged on behalf of four individuals saw the planning application being brought before An Bord Pleanla.
The complainants objected to the plans on a number of grounds including the development being located in an unserviced rural area, the threat it posed to residential amenities as well as the material contravention to the Athy Development Plan.
The building supply firm is one of the biggest employers in south Kildare, with a workforce of 220 people. It will move from its current base on the banks of the Grand Canal in the town to a new 38-acre site at Srowland. The project is expected to take about two years to complete.
The proposed development comprises production facilities for Tegral Building Products to manufacture fibre cement roof slates and import other roofing and building cladding products and Tegral Metal Forming to manufacture metal roofing and cladding products, including composite panel and structural sections.
A 24,500sqm production facility for Tegral Building Products and a 16,500sqm production facility for Tegral Metal Forming are also included. Also included in the plans are administration buildings, car-parking, storage facilities and silos, surface water management systems, a waste water treatment plant and ESB sub-station.
In its findings An Bord Pleanla said it did not think that the proposed development would seriously injure the amenities or property in the area. It added that it would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety, public road users and visual impact and not pose a health or environmental risk.
"The new development will bring the most up-to-date technology into world-class production facilities, ensuring the highest standards of production and the delivery of quality products to our customers", said the company's managing director, David Graham.
"This project will also considerably enhance the working conditions for our employees and the environment in which Tegral operates."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Naas, Ireland
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
