Councillors vote through company"s move to Batterstown

A MOVE by the Creative Housing Solutions (Shomera) company to move from a business park in Meath to a new location to create a new 'external product show area' along a road at Rathregan, Batterstown, was supported by a large majority of county councillors at their recent monthly meeting - but only after a wrangle over procedures. Councillors were being asked to give planning permission for the development which would be in material contravention of the county development plan. The application sought permission for a light industrial unit, office and toilet accommodation on ground floor and first floor level, storage yard, site entrance, waste water and percolation system and car parking. There had been eight submissions objecting to the siting of the project. The application was strongly opposed by Cllr Brian Fitzgerald who said that a number of people had applied for permission to build houses on this particular site and had been refused approval. Officials said that 90 employees and 35 contractors would be employed by the company by 2012. It was intended that the Shomera building was to be 2,600sq m on three hectares and the application was being supported by the council officials. Cllr Nick Killian said the company was one of the most successful businesses in the county and had grown from small beginnings. It was now one of the leading firms in Ireland and England in the development of temporary type accommodation. It was a business that needed a lot of space. He realised that some people had difficulties with the planning aspect; however, he said he hoped that the company would carry out proper screening and landscaping. Knowing the company involved, he was confident this would happen. He had fears that if the application was turned down, the company might go elsewhere. Cllr Phil Cantwell also spoke in favour and Cllr Charles Bobbett said that, in the current economic climate, they should take advantage of any opportunity for employment. Cllr Fitzgerald said he might be criticised for the position he was taking. He said he had been approached some time ago by this particular developer who had set up a Shomera facility in another area. He said that at no stage did he ever say he would transfer his business out of the business park in Dunshaughlin. 'What he wanted was a site along a main road so he could show his products along that road. He then apparently did a deal with landowners for this particular site.' There had been a number of objections from the local community, addded Cllr Fitzgerald, adding that the site was 'in a very exposed area, wide open'. He added: 'If we were going to have a business park in Batterstown, this is the last site I would recommend. In fact, I would see the site on the opposite side of the road. A number of local people had applied to build houses on this site and were refused. How could I come in here and recommend this site for this development?' He said he was making the position clear. They were not talking about bringing in jobs to Batterstown, they were just transferring their business to a greenfield site, he said. There was a procedural wrangle after members had voted. Council official Bill Sweeney said the motion to materially contravene the development plan had been lost. However, he said that since the cathaoirleach had not announced the result of that vote, members who had been outside the chamber at the time of the taking of the vote, could come back in and vote if they wished. Several councillors who had been outside during the original vote call, came back to the chamber and the proposal was voted through. Mr Sweeney said that the procedure laid down in standing orders had been followed. The vote resulted: 22 for, one against, three abstentions, three absent.