Plans for new Chanelle distribution hub in Co Galway refused
CHANELLE Pharma, an Irish generic pharmaceutical manufacturer of medical and veterinary products, has been refused planning permission for a new distribution hub in Co Galway.
The company, which was founded by businessman Michael Burke in 1985, was seeking a change of use for a former skin and hide store at Eskershanore on behalf of its subsidiary Chanelle Pet Unlimited.
According to the application, the site is 8.5km from Chanelle’s main base of operations in the IDA Business Park, Loughrea.
The distribution hub would employ eight to 10 people full-time and would support the main operation. The application highlighted the fact that a commercial operation had been in existence at the site for 30-40 years.
“Therefore, there exists a long and well-established precedent for industrial/commercial activities occurring at this location.”
The application said the plan represented regeneration of a brownfield site and was linked to much larger employment in the area. It added that “it is reasonable to conclude that the continued success of Chanelle Pharma HQ is of critical importance to the town of Loughrea and the larger rural hinterland that the town supports”.
The existing store would be demolished and the new development would have a smaller footprint, it added.
However, there was a local objection to the plan, while a local school raised concerns that additional truck traffic could cause an obstruction to the school car park.
According to the Galway County Council website, the application was refused but no further detail was available.
Last year, Burke announced he would become chairman of the company although he would continue to lead its R&D strategy. He said he would recruit a new CEO to lead Chanelle Pharma into its next phase of growth and development.
The company’s main operations are at a 17.5acre campus that includes three manufacturing facilities and four R&D laboratories. A fifth R&D facility is located in Amman, Jordan.
More than 550 people are employed by the company which exports to 96 countries, supplying 10 of the top 12 human generic multinational companies in the world and 10 of the top 12 animal health multinational companies globally, according to the company website.
In 2016, Chanelle announced a €70m investment programme in Chanelle Pharma, and in 2018 said a further €86m would be invested in the company over five years.
This was to support the company’s strategy of “strengthening its global position through expansion of manufacturing and R&D facilities, the launch of new products, entry into new markets and growing employment to over 850 people by 2023.”