Diageo warns of investment jeopardy due to delay in carbon-neutral brewery decision
An Bord Pleanála has postponed its decision on the project until 20 November (Image by ELEVATE via Pexels)
Diageo has issued a warning that further delays in the decision on its planned carbon-neutral brewery outside Newbridge, Co Kildare, could jeopardise its €200 million investment in Ireland.
An Bord Pleanála has postponed its decision on the project until 20 November, despite Diageo securing planning permission in March. An appeal lodged in April has led to the project’s halt.
The planning authority initially scheduled a decision for 28 August but stated a backlog of cases and changes in board personnel as the reasons for delay.
The new brewery in Littleconnell is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs during construction and an additional 70 jobs when operational. It will produce lagers and ales, including Rockshore, Harp, Hop House 13, Smithwick’s, Kilkenny, and Carlsberg.
Diageo highlights the new brewery as central to its corporate plans, as its historic St James’s Gate facility in the city centre has become restricted. The new brewery would facilitate the transfer of lagers and ales to the new facility.
John Lynch of Cloney, Athy, the appellant in the case, believes the brewery should be built in Athy. In response, McGill Planning, on behalf of Diageo, requested that the appeal be dismissed as it lacks merit, stemming from the appellant’s preference for Athy over Newbridge.
A Diageo spokesperson said: “This project is time-sensitive, and further delays will jeopardise the rationale for this €200 million investment in Ireland, to grow our global beer brands while meeting our targets to be Net Zero by 2030.”
