Plans by Fane Valley to build a multi-million pound oats processing plant at Craigavon as a new home for Tandragee-based White’s Speedicook are to be recommended for approval today (Wednesday).
It comes a year after Armagh I first revealed that a planning application for the state-of-the-art development had been placed before Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for consideration.
The plans would see Whites leaving their current home in Tandragee – where they have been based since 1841, having been founded by corn and flour miller Thomas Henry White – and moving to nearby Craigavon.
While made in the name of Fane Valley Co-operative Society Ltd, architects’ drawings – produced under the name of Project Tara – indicate the construction of a new mill and warehouse with the client given as Whites Speedicook.
Armagh I exclusively revealed plans for the new food processing plant back in September 2021 when we reported on a pre-planning application notice having been made, giving confirmation of a ‘major’ category development to follow.
Fane Valley – who took over Whites Speedicook in 1990 – has earmarked a site on Invest NI lands at the Mandeville Business Park, “south west of Knockmenagh Road Roundabout and north west of No 26 Clanrolla Road, Craigavon”.
It will be the first to be built on this zoned industrial land.
And it would bring about a state-of-the-art facility – using the most modern equipment – which would account for around 6.4 hectares of the total significantly-sized Invest NI zoned land. It is currently described as a “greenfield” site.
Fane Valley plans in Craigavon
The proposals are for a new food processing facility complete with mill, reaching to a height of around 42 metres tall!
The applicant also intends to construct warehousing, as well as silos, offices and ancillary facilities.
The proposals on the new industrial site will include access arrangements, together with site drainage and landscaping.
The mill and warehouse form the main body of the new construction, with adjoining offices.
Architects’ plans indicate four silos being built, with an ‘intake and outloads’ area connected.
There is also a workshop facility as well as a pallet store and a storage building separate from the overall development. Car parking is provided on site for staff and visitors too.
The proposals have been under consideration for the past year.
And now officials will recommend to Wednesday’s sitting of the ABC Council planning committee that the development be given the go-ahead.
It will be up to councillors to decide whether or not to accept that opinion.
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