Center Parcs submits planning application for €233m Longford development
Center Parcs Longford Forest could be open to guests in 2019
The short-break holiday company, Center Parcs, has formally submitted a planning application to Longford Co Council. The UK firm applied to develop a holiday village on a 395-acre site at Newcastle Wood, 5km outside Ballymahon.
The planning application outlines the impact that Center Parcs Longford Forest could have at a county, regional and national level and is said to be one of the biggest tourism developments in the history of the Midlands.
The firm, that has five sites in the UK, said the €233m development would provide up to 1,000 permanent jobs at the holiday village once it is operational.
In addition, 750 jobs would be created during the construction phase of the project.
The new centre would bring 250,000 visitors to Longford each year, according to the company.
The proposed holiday village would comprise 470 Lodges and 30 apartments, as well as over 100 indoor and outdoor activities.
The company announced in April that it had chosen the Longford site after it signed an option agreement with Coillte.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny met Centre Parcs CEO Martin Dalby in Longford in April.
Mr Kenny then urged the local authority to “get it right” when the planning application came before them.
Center Parcs CEO Martin Dalby said that the submission is a key milestone in the ambition to bring Center Parcs to Ireland.
He went on to say, “We have more than 28 years’ experience in the UK and I’m genuinely excited about the prospect of bringing that quality short-break experience to Ireland,” he added.”
Longford County Council will now undertake a five-week period of consultation, during which time the Center Parcs plans will be on public display at the Council office.
Subject to receiving satisfactory planning permission, Center Parcs Longford Forest could open to guests in 2019.
