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Two Chinese investors based in Dublin hope to learn this week if their planning application to build a new beef processing factory at Banagher, Co Offaly has been approved.
If so and when completed, the plant will initially slaughter up to 140 cattle per day, with the beef exported to China and other Asian. Once fully operational the plant will employ 110 staff.
Banagher Chilling Ltd, established by Jianwei Wang and Li Wangin 2017, purchased an existing abattoir and adjoining land outside the town and last month applied to Offaly County Council for planning permission to greatly extend and modernise the facility.
The existing abattoir at Boheradurrow and Meenwaun, on the Cloghan side of Banagher, has been in use since 1991 but is currently not operating.
Facilities
Banagher Chilling plans to spend over €25m on the 19 hectare site installing lairage, processing rooms, cold stores, chill rooms, staff changing rooms and offices and modernising the slaughter line. There will be an effluent treatment compound integrated with a constructed wetland.
The planning application states that the facility is designed to allow for further phases of development which would increase slaughter and food processing capacity.
The proposal has been welcomed locally as a boost to the economy of west Offaly where there are concerns about job losses at Bord na Mona and ESB.
Co Offaly Fianna Fáil TD Barry Cowan was involved in the preparation of the application in the pre-planning stages, and said: “I’m hopeful the company will get the go ahead. It has plans to expand slaughter and export operations which will be welcome.”
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