Serviced business sites ‘needed’ for start-ups and local industry growth

The lack of serviced sites and small industrial units for start-up businesses in Westmeath was strongly criticised at the May meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, where councillors argued that local enterprise growth is being held back by a shortage of suitable premises.

The issue was raised by Cllr Bill Collentine, who asked the council to provide an update on future plans for small serviced sites for small businesses and business start-ups.

In response, the Planning Section said the identification of council-owned lands suitable for self-serviced business sites will be considered as part of the forthcoming review of the Westmeath County Development Plan.

Officials said any lands identified would undergo assessment for infrastructure capacity, including water and wastewater services, roads, public lighting and sustainable transport considerations before being brought before elected members.

However, councillors argued that businesses need solutions much sooner.

Cllr Collentine questioned whether the council currently has any active policy to support small industrial or enterprise sites, saying that in previous decades local industrial estates provided opportunities for small firms to establish themselves and grow.

“It’s very hard for young companies to start out,” he said.

“They’re not in a position to buy a warehouse or a building to set up.”

He said small businesses remain one of the country’s biggest employers but often receive insufficient support. “We need to activate it again,” he said.

The councillor also questioned whether any land has already been identified or whether any business units are planned or in development: “What we need is not in 10 years’ time or five years’ time,” he added.

Supporting the motion, Cllr Emily Wallace said the issue has repeatedly been raised through council structures, strategic policy committees and Westmeath Community Development.

She praised the county’s strong small business culture and the work of the Local Enterprise Office, but warned that many firms are struggling to scale up because of the lack of suitable premises.

“When they need to grow and build capacity, that is where the issue arises,” she said.

Cllr Wallace said there was no reason suitable lands could not be identified given Mullingar’s strategic location and expanding infrastructure network.

She argued that providing designated business sites would also reduce unauthorised development in residential back gardens and allow businesses to expand in a more sustainable way.

Cllr Aoife Davitt told the meeting it was essential that Mullingar and the wider district prepare properly for future economic growth opportunities.

She noted that while the area has planned extensively for residential growth, infrastructure also needs to be in place to attract and support manufacturing, research and enterprise investment.

“If somebody does come knocking on the door, that opportunity can be answered,” she said.

Cllr Ken Glynn also supported the proposal, saying it offered an important alternative for businesses struggling with rising property and development costs.

He said the key issue now is ensuring the proposal is progressed quickly rather than remaining at policy discussion stage.

Cllr Alfie Devine pointed to work already underway in Castlepollard through the town team initiative, where feasibility and walkability studies have identified lands potentially suitable for small business and cottage industry development.

He suggested the approach could provide a template for other towns across the county, including Mullingar.

Senior executive officer Mary Goldsberry reiterated that the council’s current position remains unchanged and that suitable sites will be examined through the upcoming County Development Plan review process.

She said any identified lands would still need to meet infrastructure and planning requirements before progressing further.