Meat factory decision could happen within weeks

A decision by An Bord Pleanála on the planned €25m beef processing plant in Banagher could be made in the coming weeks, it has emerged.

Banagher Chilling Ltd was given planning approval by Offaly County Council in July 2020 for the facility but that decision was subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

The project involves “a single-storey extension to the existing abattoir” and the construction of a food processing factory of 4,925 square metres, on a 19.6 hectare site at Boheradurrow and Meenwaun, Banagher.

An inspector's report on the appeal went before the board of An Bord Pleanála in mid-February, but a decision was deferred and instead the board sought further information on the indirect climate change impacts of the proposed development.

The applicants submitted a response to the request for further information by the board by March 9.