The biggest town centre development outside of Dublin and Cork, to be located in Athlone, Co Westmeath, has today been given the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanála.
The eight acre site will cost €150m and its construction, by Gallico Developments, will create 500 jobs. There will be a further 950 long-term positions
Permission was granted after Gallico’s initial proposal for the site - on the Leinster side of the Shannon Bridge - was rejected by An Bord Pleanála.
The new plans include a 161-room four-star hotel, 163 residential units, 1,151 underground car spaces. The development will also feature covered streets and a covered public square.