Property tycoon seeks public support for rejected plan
DEVELOPER Johnny Ronan has appealed for the public's help to get permission for a massive development that has already been knocked back twice by planning authorities.
The normally media-shy Treasury Holdings impresario wants people in his hometown of Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, to publicly show their support for his multimillion euro development of a biotechnology campus on his family's land.
It is claimed the development could ultimately create up to 4,000 jobs for one of the country's unemployment blackspots.
A public rally to support the proposed development is to take place in the town on Saturday September 5.
It will be attended by Treasury Holdings' representatives and other concerned parties.
A petition is also being arranged with a view to forwarding it to An Bord Pleanala.
Earlier this year, Waterford County Council passed a vote of no confidence in the Bord for its constant refusal to yet again grant planning permission for the project.
The joint application by Mr Ronan has already been passed by both South Tipperary County Council and Waterford County Council.
Objections
However, it has been held up by An Bord Pleanala over the environmental impact statement and objections by the National Roads Authority and An Taisce.
Mr Ronan has become frustrated by the refusals and is now looking for a public mandate to go ahead with another planning application, a third attempt.
Carrick-on-Suir has over 2,000 people currently unemployed, but has always had high unemployment figures, even during the thriving economic times.
Recently-elected Independent Councillor Pierce O'Loughlin is leading the campaign after being contacted by the developer.
"The development, on a 320-acre site on the banks of the River Suir, is on his own family land.
"Mr Ronan was reared here and is trying to give something back to the town," he said.
"This is a project that if given permission will create 1,000 construction jobs over the 6-7 years it will take to complete. We will then have a bio-pharma campus to compare with the best in the world that will create 3,000 hi-spec graduate jobs," he added.
"The Waterford Institute of Technology, of which Mr Ronan is backing its university status campaign, is behind this project as well as the two councils."
Earlier this year Waterford County Council, in its March meeting, passed a motion of no confidence in An Bord Pleanala for rejecting this development and another high profile scheme in the county.
- Colin Bartley
