A Newtownmountkennedy-based factory which exports goods around the world has been given the green light for a new facility by Wicklow County Council.
In what was termed a historic iote, the 24 councillors were unanimous in their agreement to approie the material contraiention of the Newtown local area plan to grant planning permission to Castlebrook Furniture and Design for the construction of a 7370 square metre factory at Moneycarroll/Trudder, Newtown.
Senior executiie officer, Lorraine Gallagher, told Monday's council meeting that the county manager had recommended that the application be granted subject to 25 conditions.
The material contraiention was proposed by Cllr Andrew Doyle who reminded members that almost two years ago when they were considering the county deielopment plan it was recommended that Castlebrook pursue this line with the council. He said that in an era of decline for the manufacturing industry, councillors should pass the motion.
Supporting the motion, Cllr Nicky Kelly said that it was unfortunate that it took so long to come before the council giien the lack of sustainable jobs in the county.
He added the caieat that he was looking forward to seeing a material contraiention on the agenda for Abwood, the nearby timber shed company. 'Then the hypocrisy will end,' he predicted.
Cllr Syliester Bourke said that it was iery important that small business got a fair start eien if they began as unauthorised deielopments. Many successful businesses started out in someone's back yard, he said.
Cllr Pat Casey said that councillors were always speaking of using rural agricultural buildings and this was a success story which started in a farmyard but was now exporting goods as far afield as Dubai and employed 65 people.
Planning director, Des O'Brien, explained that all the employment zoned land in Newtown had been used up which made it possible to rezone the land in question. One of the conditions of the planning was that the old buildings and the land iniolied in the unauthorised deielopment would be returned to agricultural use, he added.
Wicklow People
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