PepsiCo Cork expansion delayed as residents raise health, noise and rodent concerns

PepsiCo’s €127m expansion in Cork is under appeal as residents raise health and environmental concerns over the project’s scale

PepsiCo, a global food and beverage leader, said in 2023 it was nearing completion of a €127 million investment at its facility in Little Island, Cork. Pic: PepsiCo

An ambitious expansion plan by drinks giant PepsiCo at its Little Island facility in Cork has been delayed following a series of objections from local residents and politicians, with issues raised ranging from noise disruptions, increased rodent sightings and health concerns.

The beverage company announced in 2023 that it was nearing completion of its €127m project which will see additional manufacturing capacity at the plant and further investment in its R&D campus.

In July last year, Portfolio Concentrate Solutions UC ("PepsiCo Ireland") sought planning permission to expand its existing production and warehouse building at Ballytrasna in Little Island to provide an additional 12,207 sq m of floor space over four levels, bringing the maximum height to more than 28 metres. 

Cork County Council approved the plans, which have since been appealed to An Bord Pleanála. 

The expansion was heavily challenged by locals of Little Island, with one local councillor arguing that while PepsiCo is a "great employer, they are not a good neighbour."

"I have received many complaints of extreme noise levels, including alarms going off for hours at a time," said Cork County Councillor Ger Curley.

"There has also been a rise in dust levels across the area from the plant.

"PepsiCo also been quite slow to communicate with residents," Mr Curley told the Irish Examiner, adding that the latest planning application by the company is three times the scale of previous projects and "even more intrusive."

Fianna Fáil TD, Padraig O'Sullivan, also objected to the plans, saying in a written submission that the proposed development was "overbearing" and "totally out of character" with existing buildings in the surrounding area.

The plans, which are the second part of the company's extension, have been met by almost 50 objections to Cork County Council.

Of these, seven have challenged the council's decision to An Bord Pleanála. 

One local objector who submitted to An Bord Pleanála raised concerns that the works were worsening their child's sensitivity to dust, as well as leading to an increase in rodents in the area due to just one low ditch separating their home from the construction site. 

Another said the noise levels coming from the plant were affecting the health of their child, who suffers from migraines.

"A lot of the local residents will be directly impacted by this," Mr Curley added. 

"We want the development redesigned to be on the other side of Pepsi's campus. They've told us that's not feasible. But to us, neither is the development as it stands now."

Some 700 people are employed at PepsiCo's Little Island facility, which has been in operation since 1974.

In a statement to the Irish Examiner, PepsiCo said: "For over 50 years, PepsiCo has proudly operated a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Little Island, Co Cork. 

"On April 3rd, Cork County Council granted planning permission for an expansion at the company’s Little Island facility. This planning decision has been appealed to An Bord Pleanála, with a final decision due later this year.

"PepsiCo will continue to engage proactively with the planning authorities in relation to its proposed expansion project."

An Bord Pleanála are due to decide on the case by September 1, 2025.