Diageo to submit development plan for James's Gate
GUINNESS maker Diageo is ready to apply for planning permission for a €100m makeover of its iconic James's Gate Brewery.
Diageo Ireland has been in talks with Dublin planning authorities and local councillors since the summer about how best to redevelop large sections of the huge St James's Gate site, known worldwide as the home of Guinness stout.
Diageo says it is now ready to submit a planning application for redevelopment of the north side of the site, between James's Street and Victoria Quay, following the talks.
The plans are now at the planning stage with a formal planning application being made to Dublin authorities this week.
The plans will go on public display tomorrow at the Dublin City Council offices at Wood Quay, just down the river from James's Gate.
If the plans are approved Diageo will make a decision on whether or not to go ahead with the work early next year.
Redevelopment of the Dublin site is the only option being considered by Diageo for its European brewing operations -- the upgrade will either go ahead in Dublin or not at all.
If it does progress the expectation is that it should lead to much improved efficiency at the brewery.
However, any upgrade of the historic James's Gate brewery will cast fresh doubts that a proposed new brewery in Leixlip will ever go ahead.
Consolidate
In 2008 Diageo announced plans to close its plants in Kilkenny and Dundalk and consolidate brewing at a greenfield site in Leixlip, on the Dublin/ Kildare border.
Kilkenny is best known as the home of Smithwicks and Dundalk has long been associated with the production of Harp Lager.
However, the Leixlip project was suddenly put on hold a year later
The future of the Leixlip project has not yet been formally decided but a redevelopment in St James's Gate would likely be the death knell for any development there.
However, it is less clear whether the Kilkenny and Dundalk sites will be affected.
- Peter Flanagan and Donal O'Donovan
Irish Independent
