Apartments, supermarket, health centre, solar farm and more planned in Kilmeaden
kilmeaden
A landmark planning application has been submitted for lands at the former Kilmeaden Cheese Factory.
The plans submitted this week by Crag Rathnew DC Limited and Kent Homes Limited, outline intentions to construct apartment blocks, a supermarket, pharmacy, health centre, childcare facility, technology park and solar farm.
The subject site is located on lands within the settlement of Kilmeaden.
Part of the site is situated on the old Kilmeaden Cheese Factory.
The former Kilmeaden Cheese factory which was established in 1964, moved in 2005 to Ballyraggat in Co. Kilkenny.
The factory was demolished in 2018.
The proposed overall development is divided into three distinct but connected areas including a new village centre, a technology park and a solar farm.
Planning reports outline that 'the various areas will be connected via landscaped areas, as well as pedestrian and cycling routes, to provide for an integrated and permeable form of development, which will enhance the economic prosperity and amenity of Kilmeaden'.
To facilitate the development, two existing outbuildings and one additional building one the site will be demolished
The overall development provides 441 car parking spaces and 267 cycle spaces.
Planned within zone one, the village centre, is a two-storey mixed-use building comprising a gym, café, health centre, pharmacy, and office space.
A two-storey community centre is also proposed, as is a multi-use games area.
2 three-storey apartment buildings will comprise of 48 units in total, including 6 one-bedroom apartments and 42 two-bedroom apartments.
A two-storey supermarket, including an off-licence and a bakery is also outlined within the plans. A bring bank will be provided to the south of the supermarket.
Proposed is a two-storey childcare facility building along with an adjacent outdoor play area.
A two-storey office building comprising four commercial units and 2 two-storey warehouse buildings are also planned.
Provision is made within the plans for areas of public realm and open recreational spaces including a new village square.
Planned in the central portion of the site is the construction of a new technology park, which includes 3 two-storey information and communication technology (ICT) facility buildings.
Each of the three ICT buildings will accommodate ICT equipment rooms, associated electrical and mechanical equipment rooms, loading bays, maintenance and storage space, office administration areas, and staff facilities.
An energy center building including 16 gas powered turbines is also planned, as is a a three-storey control room building and two warehouses with ancillary office space.
Planned in the southern portion of the site is the construction of a solar farm with PV arrays consisting of 43,056 PV panels
A decision is expected from Waterford City and County Council by November 2.
