Legal challenge threatens plans for new €140m cheese plant in south Kilkenny
Plans to build a major new €140 million cheese facility plant at Belview Port in south Kilkenny that would create up to 80 new jobs have been thrown into doubt after a legal challenge to the project was allowed to proceed.
An Taisce has been granted leave to seek a judicial review of the planning permission approved for Glanbia’s continental cheese manufacturing plant in the IDA’s Belview Science and Technology Park
Permission was initially granted by Kilkenny County Council and upheld by An Bord Pleanála in July to allow Glanbia proceed with their plans.
The project is being developed by JHOK Ltd, a joint venture between Glanbia Ireland and Dutch dairy group Royal A-Ware. JHOK Ltd planned to develop a Dutch-style cheese production facility on a 10-hectare site next to an existing Glanbia milk processing plant in Belview.
The company had hoped to begin construction work on the project next year, with the plant becoming operational by the end of 2022. However, that has been thrown into doubt by the planning appeals.
In its appeal to An Bord Pleanála, which was dismissed earlier this year, An Taisce claimed Glanbia’s application was “premature” ahead of the details of CAP reform, due to be published this year.
Glanbia Ireland currently has 11 processing plants, employing more than 1,800 people.
PHOTO: Glanbia processing plant in Belview
