Planning for major extension of Intel plant granted

A worker in the clean room at Intel’s chip manufacturing plant in Leixlip, Co Kildare.

A worker in the clean room at Intel’s chip manufacturing plant in Leixlip, Co Kildare.

An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for extension to Intel Ireland's Leixlip plant following an appeal by An Taisce.

The appeal delayed the €2 billion the computer company's plan for several months.

The project will see an extension to the existing permitted Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication factory - know as FAB 24 as well as the construction of two multi-storey car parks and modifications to the existing buildings and site.

An Taisce originally objected to the construction of the fabrication plant because it could cause traffic problems in Leixlip, where Intel already employs 3,600 staff.

READ MORE

It also objected to Intel's plan to maintain spoil (building) material on the Intel site in Leixlip, which could impact on the valley flood plain.

However, in their decision An Bord Pleanála said the the proposed development would not seriously injure the amenities of the area or of property in the vicinity and would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and convenience.

Meanwhile, yesterday Israel approved a grant of €449 million to help fund expansion plans by Intel, which voiced optimism that it would win final approval for a new investment soon.

The world's biggest computer chipmaker is expected to invest a total of $5 billion to build a new plant and upgrade an existing facility in Israel, that country's ministry for industry, trade and labour said in a statement.

The investment marks the largest ever by an industrial company in Israel, the ministry added.