Naughten welcomes plan to develop site in Athlone

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten has welcomed a plan to develop a site for the life sciences sector which could lead to the creation of 300 jobs near Athlone.

Mr Naughten, an Independent TD for Roscommon-Galway, has been working closely with the developer behind PriMe6, a new property development for the life sciences sector near Athlone, in a bid to win international attention for the project.

“There has been keen interest shown already from US and international operators, but I also see an opportunity here for UK operators in light of Brexit,” Mr Naughten said.

The planned seven-wing facility, which has a total area of 78,340sq ft and potential to increase to more than 138,000sq ft, is partially built, and the facility has full planning permission.

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It is hoped agreement will be reached within 12 months for one or more companies to be based at the Monksland site.

Work on the former Pharmaplaz Technology Park site, which was bought by commercial property firm Bobmar in 2015, will start once contracts have been agreed with companies. The units will be built to client specifications and requirements.