Paddy Sheanon, owner of Breffni Air.

Extension sought to Breffni Air facility

Cavan firm Breffni Air has applied for planning permission to extend its existing facility at the IDA Business Park on the outskirts of Cavan Town.

The plans, submitted to Cavan County Council, are for the construction of a single storey extension to the southwest of an existing larger unit at Site 6, as well as an additional single storey infill extension to connect both units.

Permission would cover all associated site development and construction works required to facilitate the proposal, along with connection to existing storm water and service networks.

Breffni Air has previously successfully applied for and built two fully-serviced factory units, each incorporating two-storey administration and staff facility areas at Sites Six and Seven at the Killygarry grounds.

Along with their own manufacturing plant, the second unit is currently in use by US firm Ultra Clean Holdings Inc which in 2022 announced it was establishing an Advanced Technology Cleaning Centre (ATCC) in Cavan with the creation of 100 new jobs once fully operational.

The factory is an integral part of UCT’s European-based services division, which provides ultra-high purity tool chamber parts cleaning and coating, as well as micro-contamination analytical services to chip makers and equipment providers.

A decision is due in mid-August.

Separately, IDA Ireland has been granted planning for variations to a previously approved Advanced Building Solution consisting of office and light industrial/production space at Site 3 within the same business park.

Permission was sought for revisions to a previously approved main building, including a minor increase in permitted floor area, the vehicular/pedestrian entrance, timber post-and-rail boundaries, car parking, landscaping, and access road and all associated site works.

The latest application includes new permission for signage, cycle shelters, underground fire-fighting water storage tank, and an independent ESB substation and switch room building, and all associated site works.

Incorporating a two storey administration and staff facility area, together with a single storey manufacturing/assembly/storage wing, Cavan Digital Hub previously received planning in respect of Site No. 3 back in 2021.

It was outlined at the time that the 0.97 hectares greenfield site project would be used for manufacturing, storage and administration, with an entrance via the existing entrance, parking, signage, landscaping, and all other ancillary works included.

The overall floor area of the proposed facility was 2,931.7m2, of which warehousing would account for 2,468.7m2.

However, IDA Ireland sought a “minor increase” in the permitted floor area and a pre-planning consultation took place in March 2023.

Permission was recommended based on a commitment regarding waste disposal during the construction process, and granted with 14 conditions attached, including that €64,780 be paid in development fees to the council.