Opposition from a pharmaceutical company to plans to develop a €150 million e-business park in Shannon yesterday came under fire at a Bord Pleanala oral hearing in Shannon, Co Clare.

Last June, Concre Development Ltd secured planning permission from Clare County Council to develop Westpark Business Park, which has the potential to provide 1,500 jobs for the Mid-West. The proposal, which will involve a 37-acre extension to the Shannon Free Zone, will comprise seven five-storey buildings.

However, it was thrown into doubt after SIFA Ltd lodged an appeal to An Bord Pleanála, based on an EU directive relating to minimising risks around facilities dealing with hazardous substances.

At a Bord Pleanála oral hearing into the appeal yesterday, Dr Conor Skehan, on behalf of SIFA , said the Concre proposal would lead to a restriction on the long-term future expansion of the SIFA facility. The hearing was told that SIFA currently employs 250 people and has invested €70 million at its Shannon facility.

Dr Skehan said the Concre proposal did not conform with the EU Seveso II directive and did not constitute proper planning and development of the area.

Much of SIFA's appeal focused on a previous decision by Clare County Council to refuse planning permission to a housing development next to the Roche pharmaceutical plant in Clarecastle due to the provisions of the Seveso directive.

However, Mr Tony Bamford, on behalf of Concre said the Clarecastle decision did not act as a precedent as it involved a housing development which would determine a much different risk profile.

A decision on the appeal is expected in the New Year.