A €200 MILLION development, set to be the largest ever built in Tralee town centre, was yesterday given the green light by the town council.
The project, which involves a land swap, will see the relocation of the historic Austin Stack Park and the adjoining John Mitchel’s GAA Club.
The 11 acres, currently occupied by the club and the county GAA board, will be turned into residential, office, retail, leisure and community facilities.
Some 400 jobs will be created during the construction process, while 1,000 full and part-time positions will be in place when the development is complete.
Tralee Town Council yesterday indicated its intention to grant planning permission for the project and work could start next year. The consortium behind the development said it would be a boost for the town and would create substantial employment at a challenging time for the economy.
Businessmen JJ Casey and Seamus O’Halloran said in a joint statement: “We are delighted with the council’s decision. The project makes a bold, confident statement about Tralee town and its potential.”
The news was welcomed by Tralee mayor Miriam McGillicuddy, who said: “It is a tremendous project and will be very good for business locally. The fact that the office element will include financial services is also a major plus.”
Under the deal, which sees the 11-acre town centre site being swapped for 200 acres outside Tralee, Kerry County Board is to develop two new complexes to replace Austin Stack Park.
A 15,000-seater stadium, a practice pitch, 20,000sq ft of offices and parking for 1,200 cars are planned for Ballybeggan, plus a 30-acre training academy at Currans in mid-Kerry.
The John Mitchel’s club has obtained planning permission for the development of a new sports complex at Skehanagh, Tralee.
As part of the deal, The Kingdom County Coursing Club is also to develop new coursing facilities at Ballinorig, Tralee.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label austin stack park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label austin stack park. Show all posts
Saturday, 26 April 2008
€200m retail park for Tralee GAA site approved
TRALEE TOWN Council yesterday gave planning permission for a multimillion euro retail park in the historic GAA grounds of the Austin Stack Park.
Councillors in the Co Kerry town had rezoned the grounds last October to accommodate retail use. The planned €200 million development is being spearheaded by local businessmen Seamus O'Halloran and John Casey.
The project will see the GAA transfer to the Ballybeggan racecourse and coursing grounds outside the town in an area under the remit of Kerry County Council.
A 630-page planning application for housing in addition to playing pitches, a 15,000-seater stadium, offices and retail units in Ballybeggan has also been lodged.
However, there has been resistance to both applications.
In the case of the Austin Stack project, town centre traders have objected and it is likely yesterday's town council decision will be appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
Residents, members of religious orders, environmental organisations, the National Roads Authority and a grandnephew of the patriot Austin Stack are among the objectors .
But the mayor of Tralee, Cllr Miriam McGillicuddy, said she was "absolutely thrilled" with yesterday's decision. "It is a tremendous project and will be very good for business locally. The fact that the office element will include financial services is also a major plus."
Sinn Féin town councillor Cathal Foley said: "Tralee has been in serious need of job creation and this development could provide up to . . . 1,000 jobs in the long term."
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Councillors in the Co Kerry town had rezoned the grounds last October to accommodate retail use. The planned €200 million development is being spearheaded by local businessmen Seamus O'Halloran and John Casey.
The project will see the GAA transfer to the Ballybeggan racecourse and coursing grounds outside the town in an area under the remit of Kerry County Council.
A 630-page planning application for housing in addition to playing pitches, a 15,000-seater stadium, offices and retail units in Ballybeggan has also been lodged.
However, there has been resistance to both applications.
In the case of the Austin Stack project, town centre traders have objected and it is likely yesterday's town council decision will be appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
Residents, members of religious orders, environmental organisations, the National Roads Authority and a grandnephew of the patriot Austin Stack are among the objectors .
But the mayor of Tralee, Cllr Miriam McGillicuddy, said she was "absolutely thrilled" with yesterday's decision. "It is a tremendous project and will be very good for business locally. The fact that the office element will include financial services is also a major plus."
Sinn Féin town councillor Cathal Foley said: "Tralee has been in serious need of job creation and this development could provide up to . . . 1,000 jobs in the long term."
The Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
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