An Taisce move paves way for €220m former Dell site plan

A €220m development for the former Dell site in Limerick can proceed following a decision by An Taisce to withdraw its appeal with An Bord Pleanála.

There were concerns 900 new jobs could be delayed after the heritage body lodged an appeal against the transport condition of the planning permission granted to US biopharmaceutical company, Regeneron.

Regeneron plans to invest €220m in a new facility at the former Dell facility in Raheen, creating some 600 construction jobs and 300 full-time positions once completed.

An Taisce took issue with the planned access routes to the site which they claimed were contrary to Limerick’s position as a Smarter Travel Hub.

After Regeneron applied for planning permission, An Taisce wrote to Limerick County Council asking the council to request Regeneron to develop a mobility plan to achieve higher levels of public transport, walking and cycling for travel to work.

Limerick County Council granted planning permission without requesting “any definite plan to boost public transport, cycling, and walking,” according to An Taisce.

“To say this jars with Limerick as Ireland’s Smarter Travel demonstration city is an understatement. Limerick has been granted €9.3m of public funds to increase public transport, cycling and walking,” said James Nix, policy director at An Taisce. An Taisce then appealed the transport condition of the permission to An Bord Pleanála.

An Taisce and Regeneron have since worked together on a revised mobility plan and the appeal on the transport condition is no longer before An Bord Pleanála.

In a joint statement released following the withdrawal of the appeal, Mr Nix said An Taisce is happy that concerns on reducing car dependency in line with national policy, have now been addressed.

Regeneron senior vice president, Dan Van Plew, has expressed his satisfaction with the “great national and regional response” to the company’s plan for the former Dell site.

“I am delighted with the available talent in Limerick, the progress made thus far on the preliminary portion of the proposed development, and the great national and regional response we have had to our investment plan for the Limerick facility,” said Mr Van Plew.

“An Taisce plays an important role encouraging folks to think about their long-term impact on the environment, and we are very happy to have engaged with An Taisce on issues relating to mobility planning and on other aspects of the proposed development. Regeneron and An Taisce have much in common in terms of encouraging sustainable best practice,” he said.