Green light for €100m expansion at Center Parcs

More than a year after an appeal was lodged, An Bord Pleanála has upheld the local planning approval for a €100 million expansion at Center Parcs, near Ballymahon today (Wednesday).

The Longford Forest holiday village has proved a major hit in Ireland since it opened in the summer of 2019, and the planned extension covers 198 new lodges built on the 160-hectare leisure facility, as well as a new lakeside restaurant and coffee shop and extensions of several existing restaurants and additional staff facilities.

The holiday firm previously confirmed that the proposed extension would bring the capacity of the Ballymahon holiday village up to 3,500 when it is full and increase the number of employees by 280.

In addition, extensions to the hugely popular Subtropical Swimming Paradise and Aqua Sana spa forms another substantial element of the plans, which also includes a new treetop sauna and additional treatment rooms.

While the multi-million euro expansion plans were approved locally in autumn of 2022, they were later appealed to An Bord Pleanála on October 19 last year and were stuck in a planning logjam ever since, with each deadline coming and going without a decision.

The third party appeals lodged against the expansion named on the case file are PJ Walsh and Sustainability 2050.

In a submission during the local planning process, PJ Walsh drew attention to the existing infrastructure being under pressure in the area, particularly roads, and the water supply. He also raised the issue of its proximity to the former Ballymulvey landfill.

In its ruling, An Bord Pleanála considered that the extension of accommodation and facilities would be “adequately provided with infrastructure services” and would not adversely affect the Lough Ree Special Area of Conservation and “would not seriously injure the character of the area or amenities of the properties in the vicinity”.

It also stated that the project would not have “unacceptable impacts” on ecology, water quality, landscape or cause traffic safety or congestion.

Of the 198 new lodges, the vast majority (105) planned are three-bedroom lodges, there are 56 new two-bedroom lodges, 32 four-bedroom lodges, four six-bedroom lodges and one five-bed lodge.

External sauna/pods will be provided with specific lodges to be located in three zones within the 160-hectare forest holiday village site.

Center Parcs have yet to respond for a comment on today's approval.