Former Glanbia plant could become €40m business park

The former Glanbia plant at Rooskey, Co Roscommon will become a €40m worth Business Park if plans for the site are approved.

The project, which could take up to five years to complete, could see up to 400 people employed in its construction and many more in resident businesses afterwards.

The 37-acre site in the heart of the village has been bought by a partnership for a figure believed to be in the region of €11m and they have been finalising plans for almost a year.

The LEAD Partnership comprises Leo, Eugene, Adrian, and Dermot Cox (part of EDA Cox) and is behind the project, which was launched in Cox's Steakhouse in Dromod, Co Leitrim.

The business park, if approval is granted, will have three different zones - commercial and large enterprise units - medium and small size commercial and small enterprise units - and retail and apartment blocks which will see the street facade of Rooskey transformed.

It is proposed that the park will include an enterprise centre, mooring berths, extensive landscaping to include footpaths and a walkway access to the river Shannon from the village. A crèche has also been proposed.

Leo Cox, speaking on behalf of the LEAD Partnership, said: "We believe passionately in Rooskey and will leave no stone unturned to achieve our goal of bringing in long term and secure employment and prosperity to the area."

The plans have met with widespread approval from politicians and councillors of all persuasions and Senator John Ellis (Fianna Fail) endorsing the plans said: "This isn't about politics, this is about ensuring people have the right to work and stay in their own areas and this area should grow the very same as any other part of this country."

The pig processing plant, originally owned by Hanley's, was sold to Irish Country Bacon, which in turn was sold to Glanbia. It was destroyed by fire in 2002. The decision by Glanbia to close the factory was a huge blow to the local community and it was estimated that millions of euros was removed from the local economy as a result.