A €150 million e-business park in Shannon, likely to create up to 3,000 jobs over the next 10 years, has been given the go-ahead.
Clare County Council welcomed the "landmark scheme" by Limerick firm Concre Developments. It said it was a significant investment in Shannon's economic future as a high-tech location.
Plans for the "Westpark" project come against the background of a net jobs loss of 3.2 per cent to 21,351 jobs in Shannon Development-assisted firms in the last year.
The loss was the first decline in overall figures since December 1993.
Despite the downturn in the tech sector, Mr Bobby Nugent, director general manager for Concre Development, said yesterday the firm was not overly concerned and that the market was improving.
The development has planning permission for 10 years and Mr Nugent expects to begin construction work by mid-2003.
The development will provide 49,063 sq m of office space with 250 people to be employed during construction.
Mr Nugent said the project was a major one for the mid-west and would provide a great boost to the Shannon Free Zone.
Located on a 37-acre site, the development will comprise seven five-storey buildings and will form a further extension to the Shannon Free Zone, which currently accommodates 126 firms - last year the Free Zone recorded a net jobs loss of 99 jobs.
Shannon Development is a partner in the project and spokeswoman said yesterday that the Concre development represented the next phase in the development of the 40-year old Shannon Free Zone where the focus was on the knowledge-based economy.
The plan was granted with 44 conditions attached with the development to be constructed in phases.
The proposal, however, faced opposition from an adjacent plant, the SIFA chemical operation, due to what it called the "detrimental effects the development would have on adjoining property and the general development of the area".
Objectors have one month in which to appeal to An Bord Pleanala.
However, following the large amount of information provided to Clare County Council, Mr Nugent is confident that An Bord Pleanála will uphold the council's decision.
