Glanbia plans approved by An Bord Pleanála

A planning application by Glanbia, Ireland for a significant extension to their Virginia facility has been approved by An Bord Pleanála.

The global nutrition group originally made an application to develop the Burrenrea facility in May of 2018, with permission given by the local authority in June. Neighbours of the milk processing plant, Ian and Sinead McMahon, lodged objections based on the scale of the development to council planning department and appealed the local authority decision to the state planning overseer.

The work includes a new six storey 42m high dryer plant adjoining the existing dryer facility, as well as a two storey building with changing facilities, canteen and offices. The plans approved allowed the construction of a new entrance and exit to the N3 with road improvements.

In their submission to Cavan County Council Ian and Sinead McMahon said the development would overshadow their bungalow located directly across the road from Galabia.

That applicant said that at 42 metre high the development “will create and overbearing and oppressive environment” and was “wholly unsuitable” for the area. They went on to say: “This monstrosity of a development is totally unsuitable to the area and is only at best suitable for a large industrial estate.

An Bord Pleanála received the appeal to the planning permission in July and reached the decision last week. The planning authoriyt granted the permission with revised conditions.

In there summation the planners said that the the proposed development would not have an adverse impact on the biodiversity of the area, the carrying capacity of the N3 or on traffic safety, would not have a significant impact on residential amenity, and would have an acceptable impact on visual amenity, and would otherwise be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

They attached 14 conditions to the approval including adherence to the submitted plans, road works on the N3, catr parking, building finish, and the payment of a financial contribution to the local authority.