Appeal against major development at WuXi in Dundalk dismissed

An Bord Coimisiún (formerly An Bord Pleanála) has dismissed an appeal made against the decision made by Louth County Council last year, to grant planning permission for a new Effluent Balancing and Resource Recovery Plant on a site of 7.888 hectares (19.49 acres) at the Dundalk Science and Technology Park, due to a number of material and substantive factual errors and omissions in the appeal submission.

WuXi Biologics Ireland Limited applied to Louth County Council in April 2024, for planning permission for the construction and operation of a new Effluent Balancing and Resource Recovery Plant (EBRRP) at its plant at Dundalk Science and Technology Park, in the townland of Haynestown, Mullagharlin, Dundalk.

The planned development included excavation of the site to facilitate the proposed development, and reuse of excavated material as a landscaped spoil heap within the site. It would see the construction of three covered structures containing 12 process tanks, located within concrete bunds with metal stairwells and platforms for access, and connected to an odour treatment facility.

It included the installation of five covered storage tanks located within concrete bunds with metal stairwells and platforms for access, as well as the installation of a sludge dewatering facility.

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The plans also provided for the construction of a single-storey administration and process building with roof-mounted solar panels and rainwater harvesting tank; and the widening of an existing access on the Mullagharlin Road and associated setback of the existing hedgerow, to facilitate a temporary construction access and a permanent operational access for small vehicles.

The planning application also provided for the construction of a fabricated metal access bridge and pipe and cable support structures to link the proposed development with the existing biopharmaceuticals plant; a temporary construction compound, to include double-stacked metal containers/cabins with access stairs, laydown areas, and 50 parking spaces; temporary internal road; and temporary internal construction haul road (including footpath); as well as all site development works, drainage, ancillary equipment, lighting, retaining walls, fencing, and landscaping works.

Louth County Council granted planning permission for the development on 25 November 2024 but a third party appeal against the decision was made on 6 December 2024 by Mr Peter Sweetman. 

In dismissing the appeal, An Bord Coimisiún said that there were a number of material and substantive factual errors and omissions in the appeal submission, including the development address being given as Glenreagh Mor, Holycross, County
Tipperary in the appeal submission whereas the actual development is at Haynestown in Dundalk.

It also said that the appeal submission stated that the development "is within 1.3 kilometres of the Lower River Suir Special Area of Conservation (Site Code 002137), whereas the development is circa 180 kilometres from the said Special Area of Conservation".