Go-ahead for €40m logistics hub which will employ 1,000

Mountpark Logistics EU has been given the green light by An Bord Pleanála (ABP) to proceed with the development of a €40m logistics and industrial hub at Baldonnel in south county Dublin.

Construction of the scheme, which is being billed by the developers as the "largest speculative logistics development in Ireland", is expected to get under way this summer.

While some 120 jobs will be created during the construction phase, 850 people are expected to be employed by the companies that occupy the hub.

A further 150 ancillary roles are being anticipated by the project's promoters.

"This project is a significant development for Mountpark and one that we have already invested heavily in," said Mountpark CEO Philip O'Callaghan.

"With the increasing importance of ecommerce, purpose-built logistics facilities are strategically important. This site at Baldonnel is ideally located to serve Dublin and the eastern region."

Mr O'Callaghan added: "We know, from the discussions we have already held with businesses and development bodies, that there is strong demand for well-located hubs such as this.

"We believe that the project will facilitate agencies such as the IDA and South Dublin County Council in attracting companies to the region."

The new logistics hub will consist of a number of units for logistics and warehouse use ranging in size from 10,837sq m (116,648sq ft) to 21,934sq m (236,095sq ft). The development's total ground floor area is set to extend to some 32,771sq m (352,742 sq ft) and will include 1,569sq m (16,889sq ft) of ancillary office floorspace.

A joint venture between UK-based Mountpark and the USAA RealCo company of America, Mountpark Logistics EU specialises in building logistics centres. Formed in 2014, the joint venture is already engaged in projects in the UK, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Among the larger projects completed in the UK are the Mountpark Bardon (near Junction 22 on the M1 motorway), Airport City in Manchester and Sered in Bratislava. All three developments are anchored by online retail giants Amazon.

Mountpark's Dublin site is well located at Barneys Lane on the N7 between Casement Aerodrome and Baldonnel Business Park. The proposed hub is ideally located for access to the M50, Outer Ring Road, N81 and N4.

The location is just 5km from the M50. The scheme is also close to existing business parks including Citywest, Grange Castle and Greenogue.

From independent.ie (21/4/2017)