Green light for €400m project in Limerick as planning appeals are withdrawn

PLANS to build a massive biopharmaceutical facility in Limerick which will employ more than 400 people can proceed after appeals against the project were withdrawn.

As part of an investment of at least €400m, Lilly will open a biologics facility in the Raheen business park with up to 1,000 workers involved in its construction.

Local planners gave the mammoth project planning permission last month, but two appeals saw the scheme referred to An Bord Pleanala, which set a date of next March for a decision.

Lilly’s job numbers in Limerick could go beyond initial projection

But now, a spokesperson for the national appeals body has confirmed that these appeals have been withdrawn.

It’s a move which means bosses at Lilly are now free to proceed with its plans for the vast site.

“It's welcome news. It's important we see diggers on the ground early in 2023.

“It will provide significant employment, but it will also open the door for more investment in the locality and more jobs in the region,” said local Fine Gael councillor Dan McSweeney.

The appeals related to issues around potential pollution of the neighbouring Loughmore Canal.

But it’s unclear what has now prompted the removal of these, with one of the objectors, the former Limerick senior hurling manager and farmer Tom Ryan not returning calls from Limerick Live.

A spokesperson for Lilly said the company has begun to mobilise an initial project team at the site in Raheen to commence preparatory works such as implementation of health and safety requirements in advance of site clearance activities.

"The Lilly site at Raheen will become an active construction site with immediate effect and initial steps will be taken this week to close the site to members of the public in line with construction safety legislation," he said,

Lilly says it's aware the site of the new facility has been used as an unofficial recreation area for several years that the closure of the site may be a disappointment to some.

Busy Limerick post office unable to open due to circumstances beyond control

"The closure and securing of site is required for the safety of all and we will work with the local community to identify opportunities to support other existing amenities in the area where possible," they said.

Cllr McSweeney described Lilly as an “extremely responsible” company, adding: “They have a good track record within their communities, and it's important that any employers coming into the area work with the local community.”

Lilly has been operating in Ireland for more than 40 years and currently employs around 2,500 staff at its manufacturing site in Kinsale, County Cork and its business services centre at Little Island in the same county.

The new facility in Raheen will expand Lilly’s global manufacturing network for biologic active ingredients, support increased demand for existing Lilly products and play a key role in bringing Lilly’s robust clinical pipeline to patients around the world.