Lakeland plans B’boro expansion

Lakeland Dairies have submitted plans to build a new milk intake extension at its Bailieborough production facility.

A Lakeland Dairies Co-Operative Society Ltd (Bailieboro) submission to Cavan County Council's planning section includes a new clean-in-process station, pipe bridge, five additional milk silos, and one silo for water reuse, as well as the demolition of part of their existing milk intake building.

The application contains also the need to construct a new internal road as well as works to the public road to involve widening the Knockbride Road (L3515), and the relocation of contractor containers and storage units, and existing site entrance with traffic control entrance barriers and gates.

In its place will be a new staff, tanker and contractor parking area, including EV Charging points, a new weighbridge, as well as boundary, landscape treatments and all ancillary works.

A new pedestrian crossing will be positioned on the Knockbride Road (L3515), while Lakeland plan to add new drainage, construct an underground attenuation system, provide a Class 1 oil water separator, a rainwater harvesting tank, and a new electrical switch room and admin office.

The site at Lear currently operates under EPA License.

In 2017, Lakeland opened a €40 million expansion of milk powder operations at their Bailieborough plant, placing it among the most advanced milk powder plants in the world and one of the largest in Europe, with capacity to process 160,000 tonnes of milk powders and 50,000 tonnes of butter.

Most recently Lakeland received planning for an extension to its dairy processing facility in Killeshandra.

According to documents submitted, the Lakeland facility in Killeshandra accepted almost 170 million litres of whole milk during 2023.

With the proposed development, Lakeland's milk intake at the site will increase by 19% to over 201 million litres of whole milk annually.

The application also allows for a single storey unloading dock extension, a 15 metre high silo, alterations to laboratory building, air handling unit (AHU) and the relocation of a transformer.

A decision on their latest application for Bailieborough is due July 16.