Major expansion sought for Abbott plant
Abbott Ireland is seeking to significantly increase the scope of production at its Cootehill plant.
The life-sciences giant has lodged plans with Monaghan County Council for permission to expand its infant nutrition facility.
The pre-validation plans propose a new four-storey development encompassing additional warehousing (443.50sq.m), lab space (327.2sq.m), offices and staff facilities (951.10sq.m).
A “change of use” has also been sought to transform an existing warehouse to accommodate a tower to “facilitate ingredient storage”, blending with a floor area of 2,134.2sq.m.
The plant, located at Dromore on the Cavan-Monaghan border, had a crucial role in addressing recent massive formula shortages in the United States following an investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
A proposed expansion to the rear of the Cootehill facility will accommodate four more powder silos with floor area of 776.1sq.m over five storeys, and at a height of 20.8 metres from ground level.
Along with an additional first floor office of 42.8sq.m within existing warehouse, Abbott plan to demolish and remove an existing prefabricated office building.
Permission is being sought too for a new standalone water treatment plant (463.6sq.m) and associated equipment, plant, yard, together with the relocation of three existing water tanks and existing water treatment equipment to a location “off site” and replacing them with a more efficient Water Treatment Plant.
Currently effluent is discharged to the Dromore River following treatment, in compliance with the EPA Industrial Emissions Directive. The plant also abstracts and returns water from and to the Dromore River under its IEC licence.
Additional car parking facilities are also proposed for staff, as well as 10 electric vehicle charge spaces, and all associated site development/ construction works.
It follows an announcement in August that Abbott was to invest €440 million in its Irish facilities.
The plans for Abbott’s latest proposal were drawn up by Michael Fitzpatrick’s Architects in Butlersbridge.
A decision on the application is due in early February 2023.