The path is now clear for Glanbia and Leprino Foods to build a €130m mozarella cheese factory in Portlaoise after an objection to the new plant was withdrawn, LaoisToday understands.
Speaking at February’s meeting of Laois County Council, Chief Executive John Mulholland informed Councillors that there had been one submission opposing the Glanbia plant in an appeal to An Bord Pleanala.
However, LaoisToday now understands that this submission has been withdrawn.
Planning permission was approved for the new plant in the industrial estate in September of this year.
Elected members of Laois County Council agreed to the disposal of lands at Togher to Glanbia Cheese JV.
This followed a decision by the Council to purchase roughly 80 acres of land for the €130 million development at the location in 2017.
But the project was then put on hold following the appeal.
It is understood that 250 jobs will be created in the construction phase while, when it’s up and running, the facility will support 78 new, high quality jobs in cheese manufacturing.
This Glanbia plant is one of two major investments planned for Togher.
Supermac’s tycoon Pat McDonagh is also waiting on an Bord Pleanala’s decision over objections to his ‘Obama Plaza-style’ development in the area.
Speaking last month, Mr McDonagh revealed how ‘there’s been two appeals to Bord Pleanála. One from a competitor and another is from an individual’.
He said that if the application is granted, he estimates that it should be open within a year from beginning the build.
Mr McDonagh estimates that around 200 jobs would be created by this project – 100 in construction and another 100 when it is operational.
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