Cadbury owner raises rodent migration concerns over apartment scheme

Gordon Deegan

The makers of Cadbury chocolate have raised a significant concern over rodent migration from an apartment block construction site to its chocolate production plant “of national significance” in Coolock, Dublin.

The owners of the Cadbury brand, Mondelēz Europe has expressed their concerns in a submission to Dublin City Council concerning plans for a four 10-storey apartment block scheme on lands adjacent to its chocolate production plant in Coolock, Dublin 17.

At the Coolock plant, Cadbury produces some of its best known chocolate brands including Twirl, Flake, Boost, and Cadbury Dairy Milk.

In November, London based Platinum Lands Ltd lodged Large Scale Residential Developments (LRD) plans to Dublin City Council for the 621 units at the former Chivers Factory, Coolock Drive, Coolock.

In a submission to the Council, planning consultants, Cunnane Stratton Reynolds for Mondelēz Europe under the heading of ‘Rodent and Pest Concerns, state that “it is a significant concern that there will be a rodent migration onto our client's site during the demolition and construction phase”.

The submission states that “this is particularly a concern for a food processing facility of national significance and standing”.

The consultants state that this should be a significant component in the requested Construction Demolition Waste Management Plan (CDWMP) for the application.

The submission states that Cadbury Ireland has maintained a presence in the country since 1933, and the Coolock factory has been operational since 1956, serving the business for nearly 70 years.

Cunnane Stratton Reynolds states that the facility operates 24/7 and they tell the Council that “in the event that planning permission is granted, the operation of our client's factory must not be compromised by any future residents of the scheme on noise pollution grounds”.

The submission states that it is essential that any planning conditions imposed ensure effective noise mitigation for the proposed development without adversely impacting the factory's ongoing operations.

A planning report lodged by Stephen Little & Associates for the applicants states that the proposed 621 residential dwellings on residentially zoned land within the Dublin city and suburbs administrative area, “contributes to much-needed housing supply during the current housing crisis”.

The report states that the scheme represents a well-designed and considered development that achieves a sustainable density, in line with national policy guidance.

The planning report states that a previous planning permission on the site in 2019 allowed for 550 apartment units with building heights ranging between six and 10 storeys.

The report states that “the current proposal maintains the maximum building height of 10 storeys and represents only a 13 per cent increase in the number of units”.

The Council has requested further information on the planning application.