Mr Price plans extension works at Athlone warehouse

The discount retail chain Mr Price has lodged plans with Westmeath County Council for a significant extension to warehouse facilities at its national distribution centre in Athlone.

The works at the company's distribution base in Cornamaddy would be carried out in three phases and would include new loading areas for goods coming in and out of the facility, along with an increased height of the warehouse building.

Corajio ULC, trading as Mr Price, submitted planning documents for the work to the local authority on Friday, October 24.

It stated that the first phase of the project would involve a new goods-in area, including loading bays and a new covered area for loading and unloading trucks.

The second phase of works would see the development of a new "high-bay storage facility" with a "stock-transfer link" to the existing warehouse, while the final section of the project would involve a goods-out area, including loading bays to the front of the existing warehouse, along with reconfiguration of traffic and parking facilities.

The company is seeking permission "for the demolition of plant rooms and unused detached office buildings" as well as some other associated site works to help pave the way for the redevelopment.

Athlone-based Padraig Connell Consulting Engineers prepared design drawings of the extension, showing an increase in the height of the warehouse, with the new warehouse space expected to span some 7,126 square metres.

Westmeath County Council due to make a decision by December 18.

Previously, Westmeath County Council refused planning permission for a Mr Price shop at the distribution centre in Cornamaddy, but this decision was overturned on appeal by An Bord Pleánala.

In a decision finalised in December 2023, the planning board permitted the retention of the company's Athlone retail premises, subject to eight conditions.