Chinese consortium abandons plan to expand Offaly meat processing plant

A CHINESE consortium has abandoned its plan to expand an abattoir near Banagher, the Tribune has learned this week. The expanded abattoir was expected to generate employment of 110 jobs with 250 jobs being created during the construction process.
Banagher Chilling Limited was the name of the Chinese backed beef plant proposal and in July 2019 plans were first lodged by the company for a €25 million single story extension to the existing abattoir at the site near Banagher. The application said it was intended to process 36,000 animals per year. Offaly County Council granted planning permission a year later, with An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) giving it the go-ahead in June 2022. This was challenged by co-appellants and local residents Desmond Kampff and Gwen Wordingham, of Ballyeighter, Coolfin, Banagher. In February 2025, following an almost 22-month assessment, the High Court found in favour of the co-appellants and quashed An Coimisiún Pleanála's decision.
In their original submission, the appellants had argued that the proposed plant would be one of the largest in the country and the scale and impact had not been justified. They cited a number of other concerns, including concerns over the licencing status of the facility, the applicant company's experience in the industry, the need for the facility, whether the local authority had adhered to Government policy, environmental damage and whether the proposal would provide the suggested local jobs dividend. The applicants had expressed concern at the potential environmental impacts on nearby waters, in particular the status of the Rapemills River, of which the Feeghroe stream is part.
Shortly after its February 2025 decision, the High Court sent the decision back to An Coimisiún Pleanála to give ACP an opportunity to consider the High Court's reasons for its conclusions. A few weeks ago ACP said it had considered the High Court's decision and reasoning and would not be dealing with the matter any further. Shortly after this, the Tribune has learned, the Chinese consortium contacted a businessman living in the Banagher area and told him that it would be putting the Banagher Chilling site up for sale. There is still a slaughtering licence attached to the abattoir which could be reactivated. The abattoir was operational until 2019, at which stage it was employing ten people. The plant is located in Boheradurrow/Meenwaun, which is near Taylor's Cross on the Birr/Banagher road.
Prior to the High Court's conclusion in February, Midlands North West MEP Barry Cowen told local media that he supported An Coimisiún Pleanála's decision and he backed the creation of the meat plant. He pointed out that the value of the investment to the region had to be considered. He said he strongly hoped that the right decision would be taken by the High Court. and that planning permission would be granted.
The plant's extension would have created a facility covering 4,925 square metres which would have included processing rooms, a cold store, loading bay, chill rooms, plant rooms, staff changing rooms, staff canteen and administration offices.
The Chinese led consortium expressed a desire to remain anonymous throughout the whole planning process. The Chinese investors planned to export the beef to Asian markets.

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