Approval for Monksland manufacturing facility

By Rebekah O'Reilly

A Ballinasloe-based health supplement manufacturer has been granted planning permission for a new production facility at Monksland Industrial Estate near Athlone.

Macánta Nutrition Ltd received approval from Roscommon County Council to convert part of an existing warehouse at Unit A, Monksland Industrial Estate, into a clean room manufacturing facility.

The planning application, submitted on May 29, will see 442 square metres of the existing warehouse converted into a manufacturing area incorporating a clean room, quality control room, and plant room.

The facility is expected to receive between two and five small van deliveries each day, along with up to two tailgate truck deliveries, with no heavy goods vehicle movements currently planned.

Macánta Nutrition, which manufactures food supplements, vitamins and minerals, said the new facility will expand its existing operations in Ballinasloe by increasing production and distribution capacity.

The company said the Monksland operation will carry out the weighing and filling of supplement powders into tubs, stick packs and sachets in a fully sealed clean room environment.

The development is expected to employ between four and six people initially, with staffing levels potentially rising to between 10 to 12 over the next three years.

In granting permission, Roscommon County Council attached a number of standard planning conditions, including that the development be carried out in accordance with the approved plans and that the unit remain in single ownership.