Sixty new jobs in Mountrath as Laois company approved for expansion

A possible 60 new jobs are going to be created in Mountrath, with the approval of an expansion plan by a local company.

CJ Sheeran, describing itself as Ireland's largest manufacturer of timber pallets, garden furniture and packaging in Mountrath, has received approval to expand its premises, potentially increasing its workforce from 40 to 100.

Laois County Council planners said yes this December to the business expansion, on 9.354 hectares of agricultural land beside the company's existing plant and an Applegreen filling station, off the Castletown Road in Mountrath.

It includes demolition of a two storey farmhouse and outbuildings, construction of six single storey light industrial units, a single storey bunker, a single storey boilerhouse and three single storey kilns.

There will be sixty new car parking spaces, sixty covered bicycle parking spaces, an ESB Sub-Station, an illuminated 6m totem advertising sign and associated road network, yards and landscaping, in a 10 year permission.

CJ Sheeran say the plan is to expand the existing business on site.

“Based on the level of automation and robotics, we do not see any more than 10 staff working in any of the proposed new buildings,” the company said.

Their architects explain the the company's operations are split across several sites and the new buildings will centralise operations and allow room for expansion.

The council had sought Further Information in May and again in September to make its decision.

Their queries covered traffic impact, storm water management, parking, road safety, cycling facilities, public lighting and signage and where the construction material would go.

The applicant must install a continuous footpath cycle lane with streetlighting from Mountrath to the premises.

The HSE recommended a noise and odour survey for a dwelling that will be surrounded by structures. The Department of Housing and Heritage asked for an archeologist's report. No local submissions were made about the planning application.