Plans for a €500 million commercial, residential and recreational development on the site of the former sugar plant at Mallow, in north Cork, were unveiled yesterday.
Greencore plc said the project would create 2,000 new jobs and inject an annual spend of €36 million into the local economy.
According to the company, the proposal, which is modelled on Citywest in Dublin and is titled Mallow West, is the single largest, integrated development project ever proposed for Mallow and will help generate significant economic growth.
Greencore yesterday lodged outline proposals for the project with Cork County Council for inclusion in the Special Local Area Plan for Mallow which is currently under consideration by councillors. Greencore development director Geoff Doherty said the proposal will involve the regeneration of the 398-acre former Irish Sugar company site and, if implemented, the project would represent huge economic, employment, amenity and environmental gains for Mallow.
Mr Doherty said the proposal would entail the creation of an employment hub generating around 2,000 new jobs in enterprise, office and commercial outlets. It would also involve a hotel/spa/conference centre and championship golf course.
The project will involve the building of over 1,000 residential units of varying types and sizes which, it is anticipated, will attract 2,500 new residents. They will be supported by new local shops and other facilities. The project also envisages the creation of some 150 acres of mixed sport and recreational amenities adjacent to Mallow racecourse, as well as the provision of a 45-acre wildlife conservation area.
Mr Doherty said the company is also proposing the creation of a 30-acre enterprise zone with the capacity to accommodate industrial and commercial space for employment in enterprise, commercial, retail and renewable resource research.
Mr Doherty said Greencore was committed to improving access to the site and was willing to contribute to a new bridge across the river Blackwater which would connect the Cork-Mallow road with the Killarney-Mallow road.