Clare explosives factory plan relodged

Plans were yesterday lodged again with Clare County Council for a €10 million explosives factory on the shores of the Shannon estuary which has been strenuously opposed by a local group at Kildysart.

The new move by Shannon Explosives, a subsidiary of the Whelan Group, comes seven years after the company's first plan was lodged for the factory at Cahercon.

It led to a lengthy planning battle culminating with An Bord Pleanála refusing planning permission in February 2003.

Without a sod being turned on the scheme, the Whelan Group has already spent almost €7 million on the project, which has been opposed by local residents and the Friends of the Irish Environment. Recently appointed managing director of the Whelan Group John McKeogh said: "This development will not only be beneficial for the local community but also to the national economy. It represents an investment of up to €10 million."

Mr McKeogh added that when operational the plant would employ about 35 people and contribute €3 million annually to the local economy through wages and the outsourcing of services to local businesses. During the construction stage, 50 people would be employed over an eight-month period.

"It is our intention to construct and operate a safe, environmentally compliant and visually pleasing facility. No blasting or destructive testing of any nature will be carried out at the site," said Mr McKeogh.