Another motorway service station granted permission despite close proximity to Fermoy and Mitchelstown
Just three weeks after Cork County Council granted planning permission for a 24 hour motorway service station adjacent to Junction 14 on the M8 near Moorepark, The Avondhu has been reliably informed that planning permission has also been granted to a second similar project just a few kilometres to the north at Junction 13.
It would seem unlikely that both applicants (JR Oronco Ltd with local connections at the Moorepark site and Applegreen at Gortnahown) will go on to see their individual project come to fruition given their close proximity.
One commentator told The Avondhu it would appear that the planners have judged both applications on their individual merits and that it may well be left to An Bord Pleanala to make a final decision.
Both applications are for a 24 hour facility and while at the time of going to press Cork County Council had not formally announced details of the outcome, the granting of permission could be expected to carry certain conditions. Applegreen already have 40 service stations across the country, with 6 of those on motorways on the M1 and M4 and the nearest one to Mitchelstown is in Clonmel.
Business interests in both Fermoy and Mitchelstown state that, apart from the employment such a project will offer, one such facility at Junction 13 or 14 will ultimately take business away from both towns.
When contacted, a spokesperson for JR Oronco Ltd did not wish to comment on this most recent development, while The Avondhu was unable to make contact with a spokesperson for Applegreen.
Published:
Thursday 19th September 7:35pm
