Carlow development plan to create 2,000 jobs

An ambitious €1.1bn development plan for Carlow was unveiled today by Greencore.

Carlow Gateway will boost the regeneration of the 333-acre former sugar factory land, creating more than 2,000 jobs in the area.

The transformational project features a range of mixed developments including 3,000 homes, retail facilities, a 50-acre business park dubbed Carlow Enterprise Zone and a 35-acre riverside walkway and park on both sides of the River Barrow.

The company has submitted the plan to Carlow County Council for its proposed local area plan for the town.

Geoff Doherty, Greencore’s development director, said: “This plan, if adopted, will transform a large area of Carlow in a well-considered, well-designed and empathetic manner.

“I am very confident that it will result in a development of which Carlow will be proud and which will be of substantial and lasting benefit to the town and its environs.”

SIPTU is unhappy with the move as workers in the company’s former sugar plants in Carlow and Mallow did not receive redundancy terms as recommended by the Labour Court.

The plans, which are modelled on the Dublin Docklands and Digital Hub regeneration initiatives, have also been submitted by Greencore Group plc to Laois County Council as part of the development plan for the Laois side of the River Barrow.

“The Carlow Gateway submission represents a fantastic opportunity for Carlow,” said Mr Doherty.

“If adopted, it will position Carlow uniquely to drive employment creation and build enterprise.”

The company says the Gateway lands are fully serviced for water, effluent, gas and electricity on a natural growth path for the town, with the lands also having excellent roads access which will be improved on completion of the Carlow by-pass.

It claims the Carlow Gateway Commercial Centre, proposed to be built on the foundation stone of the sugar factory, has the potential to employ 1,400 people in the office, retail and other commercial aspects of the scheme.

Within the proposed business park will be a 20-acre development zone containing a cluster of emerging, niche, research-based food and ingredient enterprises, employing up to 400 highly qualified people, positioning Carlow as the national centre for these enterprises.

An additional 30 acres are included within Carlow Enterprise Zone for education and other research-based uses, with up to 65 acres proposed for leisure and amenity uses including a 35-acre linear park on the River Barrow.

The submission also includes unique cultural aspects including a museum, the restoration of the old beet harbour and a marina.

“We are particularly excited by the Carlow Enterprise Zone, which has the potential to be a national centre,” said Mr Doherty.

“Gateway will involve an investment of €1.1bn in the county and will ultimately create an integrated living and working community of 8,000 people.

“Carlow Gateway, if adopted, will identify the town and its community as far-sighted and confident about its future,” he added.

“It presents an opportunity to meet the development needs of the town in a single, integrated, fully serviced site on the edge of the town.

“We look forward to consulting and engaging with the town and county councils and the community during the coming weeks to outline the Carlow Gateway submission in more detail.”