'A big issue': Various options on table for south Longford business park development

The need for a serviced site in the south county Longford area was  raised at last week's local authority meeting.

Fine Gael Cllr Paul Ross, who noted there was €1.25 million under the 'Lands Development' section of the capital budget, asked if there was an expectation of a business park being acquired in the Ballymahon MD area this year.

 “This is a big issue and one we must move on," he said. "It has been an issue raised in the Ballymahon MD over the last five years,” he added.

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John McKeon, Head of Finance, IT, Procurement and Facilities, said there was money in the budget.

Michael Nevin, Head of Enterprise, said they were looking at various options.

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"Obviously we are looking at options and one of the immediate options we are looking at is in the Lanesboro area where we're hoping to secure some lands and make provision for a project that has been in the pipeline for a period of time which is the Food Hub Just Transition project," he said.

"The IDA are also in the final stages of securing land, we believe inside the bypass (in Longford town) and they are presenting at the meeting here in May and we are hoping by that stage that land will be secured. The IDA will buy that land."

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Cllr Peggy Nolan asked if the site would be substantial enough so they compete to entice large employers.

Mr Nevin said it meets the IDA's current commitment to "build an advance building solution and they propose to build five advance factories across the Midlands, one in Longford town".

Mr Nevin said the  site that they require is a minimum of three acres and  the site that they are looking at is six or seven acres,” he added. 

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