A major planning application has been described as a potential “game changer” for Kilmeaden – but some locals have expressed concerns.

Plans lodged for the former Kilmeaden Cheese Factory site include a solar farm, apartments, and a technology park.

Brian Barron, a member of the Kilmeaden Community Network, told WLR that a recent community survey showed clear views on development.

“Our plan shows us that the people in Kilmeaden and Ballyduff want development – they’re happy to see their community grow,” he said. “But what they want is that any development goes hand in hand with community resources and infrastructure, and that the rural village feel and character of Kilmeaden and Ballyduff is maintained.”

Mr. Barron said the size of the proposal had taken residents aback.

“The scale of it came as a bit of a shock. It’s vast, it’s huge, and it’s hard to see how such a large industrial development is in keeping with the character of Kilmeaden and Ballyduff.”

He highlighted one proposed building as “nearly a mile and a half long – almost the length of the entire Kilmeaden Road. It’s huge.”

Other elements of the potential Kilmeaden Cheese Factory development have also raised concerns.

“They’re talking about six chimney stacks, which will be emitting fumes or steam 24 hours a day,” he said. “There are 400 car parking spaces – that’s a lot of people coming to work in Kilmeaden every day. So it’s going to change not only visually, but also the nature of the community.”

While acknowledging that the developers “have every right to put in an application for planning” and have “put huge money into it,” Barron said the community’s voice must now be heard through the planning process.

“There are positives in the proposals, but there’s no balance in the plan as it stands between community needs and industrial needs,” he added. “What we would hope is that there’s another iteration of this process, where the community can work with Echelon and Kent’s to put together a plan that would benefit everybody.”

Meetings between local groups and the developers are due to take place this week.

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