Mayo town's frustration over industrial park 30-year delay resurfaces

A Mayo TD has expressed frustration over ongoing delays in respect of the proposed IDA Ireland industrial park in Ballina.

Deputy Dara Calleary explained: "The project has been under way for almost 30 years and we are really no further on.

"Planning permission was allowed to lapse in recent years.

"My most recent update from the Tánaiste last January was that we would be ready for a new planning application in the third quarter of this year and I would like to know whether we are still on schedule.

In response, Minister of State Robert Troy said IDA Ireland owns approximately 10.6 ha of industrial zoned land on the Sligo road in Ballina.

The site has been masterplanned by the agency to demonstrate its potential to investors.

Planning permission was previously obtained for infrastructural development, although this has since expired.

"IDA Ireland continues to market the site to existing and prospective investors that may be interested in expanding or locating in County Mayo.

"IDA Ireland has appointed an engineering firm to undertake detailed technical due diligence, review the master plan design and submit a stage one infrastructure planning application to Mayo County Council, which IDA Ireland anticipates will be ready for submission in the third quarter of 2021, subject to ongoing review.

"IDA Ireland will work with Mayo County Council to ensure that the infrastructural development will be complementary to the wider development plans for Ballina and that the site, once developed, will be positioned and marketed as a suitable location for indigenous and foreign direct investment developments.

Deputy Calleary: "I am huge fan of IDA Ireland. It does extraordinary work.

"However, its handling of this issue has been less than satisfactory. The fact that planning was allowed to lapse in the first place does not suggest priority or urgency.

"We know it is marketing the site but marketing an industrial site without planning is not necessarily the best way to sell the site as a location to potential investors.

"I reiterate that Ballina is delivering for some of the biggest corporate names in the world, including Coca-Cola, Hollister and Lionbridge. If we are given the opportunity our workforce will deliver.

"We cannot be part of this regional effort unless planning permission is granted. It would be even better if, once the planning permission is granted, the IDA Ireland would commit to an advanced unit.

"We are at the centre of the catchment area of the proposed technological university for Connacht and Ulster.

"There are many advantages to Ballina as an investment location and we have proven time and again our ability to deliver for any investor.

"What we need is for the passion of our employees and the passion of our community to be matched by IDA Ireland in terms of proactively developing this site for Ballina and then marketing it and ensuring that it is not be left on the shelf, as it has been, for nearly 30 years.

"We are a long way down the road on this and we still have no progress."