Kildare farmer lodges latest objection in long-running battle with Intel

A Co Kildare farmer is seeking to prevent the development of a planned $4 billion (€3.53 billion) facility at Intel’s campus in Leixlip.

Thomas Reid, of Hedsor House, Blakestown, Carton, Maynooth, has previously been a thorn in the side of the company in the planning arena with this the seventh Intel application he has objected to since 2012. One of the cases he took became the subject of an award winning documentary last year.

The previous six applications have been brought before An Bord Pleanála as a result of his objections and the hand-written submission he lodged with Kildare County Council entitles him to appeal the outcome of the latest process.

Intel, a US micro-chip producer, has sought 10-year planning permission for an extended and revised manufacturing fabrication facility at the Leixlip campus. The company received permission in 2016 for the first $4 billion phase of the facility, which was also opposed by Mr Reid.

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Investment

The company says that should the project go ahead, it would employ 6,000 construction workers at its peak. The development would represent the largest private investment in the history of the State on a single project.

In his two page objection, Mr Reid argues that the proposal is contrary to the proper development of the area and that the council, which is due to decide on the matter by the end of the month, should refuse it outright.

Mr Reid emerged victorious in a 2015 battle with the IDA when the Supreme Court found the State agency had gone in excess of its powers when making a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for his 72 acre farm adjacent to the Intel campus.

The court overturned an earlier High Court decision clearing the way for IDA to purchase the land for development against Mr Reid’s wishes. The case left the IDA with a legal bill of more than €1.3 million.