A plan for a €115 million commercial and housing development on the outskirts of Nenagh, Co Tipperary, is to go ahead despite fears from some members of the business community that it will severely impact on the town centre.
An Bord Pleanála said yesterday that it had decided to uphold the town council's decision to grant permission for the development.
It includes an 84-bedroom hotel and leisure centre, almost 400 houses, a seven-lane bowling centre, a drive-through restaurant, a food store and a coffee shop.
The works will take place on a 97-acre site located 1.2 kilometres from the town centre.
The development also includes three motor showrooms, 18 warehouse/light industrial units, an advanced technology unit, two creches, a medical centre, a 50-bedroom nursing home and a retail park comprising five warehouse units.
A four-screen cineplex has been refused planning permission, but all the other substantial developments planned for the site have been given the go-ahead with some minor alterations.
The planning board has attached 37 conditions to its decision, but says that the development will not detract from or undermine the vitality and vibrancy of the town centre.
The ruling by the board comes after a three-day oral hearing earlier this year.
The developers, the Stereame Partnership, are made up of a consortium of property developers comprising Limerick-based Mr Tony O'Shea and Mr Michael Hogan, along with three directors of Elliott property development group and Mr David Mackey, who are Cavan-based.
Also in the consortium is Mr Gerry Ryan, a director of the Dublin-based architectural firm, Horan, Keogan and Ryan, which acted as chief architects on the project.
Mr Hogan said it was hoped to start the project as soon as possible pending discussions with council officials.
He said that he expected more than 100 workers would be employed during the five-year construction phase, and that at least a further 300 people would work at the centre once the project was completed.
Mr Hogan added that development contributions for the scheme would be in excess of €3 million, and would be a huge boost for town council coffers. "This project is going to be of major benefit to the town and we are delighted with the board's decision."
Nenagh town manager Mr Karl Cashen said the development would result in major economic benefits for the local economy, and generate substantial employment.
Mr Tom Mulqueen, chairman of the Nenagh Traders and Development Association, which objected to the development, said: "We are still a little afraid for the future of the centre of the town.
"It's now up to the council to address the issue to ensure that this development does not impact on existing business in the centre."
Mr Tom O'Donoghue, a spokesman for another objector, Nenagh Civic Alliance, said his group would make no comment until it had studied the board's decision in detail.