Second Athlone IDA park to proceed after rezoning move

Athlone's status as the "capital of industry in the Midlands" will be given a fresh boost by the development of a second IDA Business and Technology Park for the town at a "major landbank" on the Ballymahon Road, a council meeting heard this week.

On Monday, Westmeath County Council formally approved a contravention of zoning in the Athlone Town Development Plan in order to allow the development of new junctions and a 465 metre internal road network at the IDA-owned Ballymahon Road site.

Council chief executive Barry Kehoe said the site was "substantial" and that it had been acquired by the IDA for the creation of a new Business and Technology Park, which he said would be "very welcome in terms of the economic development of Athlone".

The members of the council agreed to overrule the previous 'residential, open space, and mixed use' zonings for the site, saying the creation of the new IDA park would in time provide a major employment boost for Athlone and the wider region.

"This development will be immense in terms of job creation for the area," remarked Cllr Paul Hogan.

When contacted by the Westmeath Independent this week, an IDA spokesperson welcomed the council's approval for the internal roads that will pave the way for the park's overall development.

"IDA Ireland acquired the site at Ballymahon Road in Athlone a number of years ago," said the spokesperson.

"This week's decision by Westmeath County Council will allow for essential infrastructure which will enable development of the landbank to facilitate further strategic investment in the region."

The IDA's existing Business and Technology Park in Athlone is situated off the Dublin Road, in Garrycastle.

Council CEO Mr Kehoe said at Monday's meeting that the site for the second park is one "that we would have referred to as 'the Macken lands', just beside the Department of Education, and leading all the way down to the N6 Athlone Relief Road."

He said the approval of the internal road network there would "give certainty to people who might be interested in investing in Athlone," would "reduce the delivery time" for new industrial units on the site.

The development, he added, was consistent with the National Planning Framework which seeks to develop "cities and towns of sufficient scale and quality to compete internationally, and to be drivers of national and regional growth".

While Athlone-area councillors spoke favourably about the plans, the issue of traffic on the already-busy Ballymahon Road was raised by Cllr John Dolan.

"If we're going to have a major development on this site it's going to have a serious impact on traffic on that road," said Cllr Dolan. "There's a lot of traffic lights on that road, and we maybe need to start looking at another roundabout there.

"We don't want to hold up development, but we need to make sure this is managed and that it doesn't clog up the town with traffic."

Athlone Mayor Cllr Frankie Keena welcomed the IDA's decision to move forward with the project.

"This is prime land, in the core of the town, and in Westmeath County Council we are always looking to invite new industry into the area and create new employment opportunities for people," he said.

Cllr Kevin 'Boxer' Moran said the benefits of the development would be regional, rather than just centred on Athlone.

"What's good for Athlone is good for Mullingar and the surrounding towns and small villages. The employment that this will give down the road will be excellent," he said.

"I know the vision the IDA has for this site, and it's only putting Athlone in its rightful place as the capital of industry in the Midlands. I'm delighted to see it on the agenda today and now the IDA can start moving to the next phase."

"We're very fortunate to have the regional headquarters (of the IDA) on our doorstep," added Cllr Paul Hogan, "and we're very fortunate that they have decided to invest significantly in terms of this site".

Responding to Cllr Dolan's point about traffic on the Ballymahon Road, Mr Kehoe said the levels of traffic in Athlone and Mullingar were "a sign of the success of both towns" but he agreed the council would "have to be very careful" about managing the traffic.

"We'll be seeking to achieve a modal shift, and get as much active travel as we can. There's a very good bus service in Athlone that we want to improve over time," he said.

"It can't be just about cars - people do have to look at other modes because there just isn't enough road space in Athlone to allow sites such as this to develop to their full potential and for everybody to travel in and out by car. The space just isn't there."

Cllr Aengus O'Rourke did not participate in the council discussion, and left the chamber for it, as his brother, Feargal, is the chairperson of IDA Ireland.