PepsiCo considering options after planning refused for expansion at Cork facility

PepsiCo is to “consider its options” after planning permission for a major expansion of their manufacturing facility in Little Island Industrial Estate was overturned by An Coimisiún Pleanála.

In April of this year, Cork County Council granted permission for the construction of an expansion to the existing production and warehouse building to provide an additional 12,207sq m of floor space over four levels to a maximum height of 28.21m.

The decision was appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála by several third-party appellants, many of them representing multiple people, who made submissions expressing concern about the visual impact of the development and potential impacts on noise and air pollution, privacy, and overlooking.

Excessive

The planning commissioner decided: “The proposed scale, mass, and monolithic nature of the facade of the proposed building is excessive, particularly in the context of adjoining residential development, which would result in an inadequate level of transition to adjoining properties.

“It is considered therefore that the proposal would have an unacceptable visual impact and would seriously injure that residential amenities of residential properties in the vicinity. The proposed development would, therefore, be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

Matthew McRedmond, a senior planning inspector with the planning board, noted in his report that the Cork County Development Plan highlights “the importance of avoiding abrupt transitions in scale at the boundary of adjoining land uses”.

With regard to this and the provisions of the 2018 building height guidelines, “it is considered that the proposed scale, mass, and visual impact of the proposal is excessive,” Mr McRedmond found.

A spokesperson for PepsiCo told The Echo: “PepsiCo acknowledges the decision made by An Coimisiún Pleanála in relation to a recent planning application for an expansion of its existing manufacturing facility in Little Island, Co Cork.

“The company will take some time to review the decision and to consider its options.”