BREAKING: Warehouse campus plan for former Kildare factory site which employed hundreds
Donnelly Mirrors in Naas was a significant employer
Planning permission has been given to develop the former Donnelly Mirrors site on the outskirts of Naas.
Donnelly Mirrors was once a significant employer in the area.
Kildare County Council has approved a plan for the provision of a warehouse/logistics campus, including two massive warehouse/logistics buildings with offices and staff facilities.
The plans, which have a construction value of €15m, were lodged by Edelvale Property Limited, based in Clane.
Hundreds of Kildare people have worked at the Donnelly Mirrors plant on the Dublin Road, which first opened in 1968 and was destined to be the European presence for the Donnelly Corporation from Michigan.
The company was started by Irish American John Donnelly and his family retained control of it until it was sold to Magna, an enormous Canadian car parts manufacturer, in 2002.
The Donnelly Corporation was a world leader in the field of mirrors for the auto industry, producing at one point two thirds of the world’s interior car mirrors.
In May 2005, new owners Magna laid off 245 workers as it moved much of its production to North America and Spain.
Two years later, Magna closed the plant with the loss of 280 jobs.
The company blamed falling sales, fierce competition and high costs for its decision.
According to new plans for the Naas site, the proposed warehouse campus will be accessed via an upgraded entrance to the Dublin Road (R445).
In addition, a new spine road, with new internal site roundabout, is proposed to connect the subject site to the Dublin Road Roundabout.
The proposed development will also feature truck parking, car parking and bicycle parking.
The designs include an ESB substation, lighting, internal roads and footpaths, landscaping. It also comprises two. associated HGV yards with truck parking; car parking (including accessible parking and EV charging spaces).