Clonmel meat plant to become luxury hotel

THE site of a former meat factory in Clonmel is set to be transformed into a luxury hotel, retail units and a medical centre as part of an ambitious €90 million plan.

Developers Parma Developments have just submitted a planning application to Clonmel Borough Council for the project, which would see the creation of up to 300 permanent jobs.

Backers of the scheme, who include meat magnate Larry Goodman, also estimate that 500 jobs will be created during the construction process if the application gets the green light.

The location of the mooted project is the site of the former Fair Oak Foods — previously known as Clonmel Foods — processing plant at Upper Irishtown, towards the west of the town centre, which closed its doors some years ago. The building, on a five-acre site, has been largely unused since.

A river boardwalk stretching 160 metres and incorporating an art gallery will form part of the project, as will 549 car parking spaces, retail units, a gym, medical centre, and eateries. The hotel will have 86 bedrooms and a conference centre.

If the development goes ahead it will provide regeneration to a part of Clonmel which has enjoyed little progress in recent years.