Green light for €80m town centre
THE planning appeals body has given the green light to a new €80m town centre development for Carlow town.
An Bord Pleanala made its decision on the application by Donnybrook Property Investments Ltd for the site.
The approval is a positive sign in tough economic times and is set to create hundreds of jobs once it gets under way.
Penneys is currently situated at the site at Hanover, which was once a thriving shopping centre, but became run down and saw many businesses close in recent years.
But Carlow County Council believes the development will help to entice shoppers into the heart of the town, back from the outskirts where Tesco is located in the Fairgreen centre.
British retail giant Debenhams has reportedly signed up to locate at the new Hanover centre.
It is understood between 80 and 100 jobs will be created by the department store. Penneys will continue to trade from the site in a new premises.
It is not known how long the project will take to complete but Carlow planners are confident that it will commence in the near future.
- Eimear Ni Bhraonain
Irish Independent
