Irish Distillers planning for Fox and Geese bottling facility extended for three years

IRISH Distillers Limited (IDL) received planning permission to extend and expand the use of their bottling operations facility at the Fox and Geese, Robinhood Road in Clondalkin.

The 10-year planning permission granted in 2014 for the facility, was due to expire on July 26, 2024.

IDL sought an extension to the original planning permission for a period of three years (until July 2027) in order to complete the remaining aspects of the permitted development.

This includes the extension and expansion of the bottling facility, which employs approximately 300 people.

In granting permission for the extension, South Dublin County Council considered the application fulfils requirements of the Planning and Development Act and the Planning and Development Regulations.

“Having regard to the nature and scale of the overall development, the planning authority considers an extension of duration of the permission for a period of three years, no later than July 2027, to be an appropriate period to enable the development to be completed in accordance with the conditions,” said SDCC.

Brands under Irish Distillers include Jameson, Powers, Spot Whiskey and Midleton Very Rare.

Plans include the demolition of an existing vat house and tanker unloading area, and its replacement by a new car parking area.

According to a document filed by HW Planning on behalf of Irish Distillers Limited (IDL), approximately €25m has been invested to date in the expansion of IDL’s operations at the Fox & Geese facility.

Works completed to date include approximately 50 per cent of the permitted tank farm, including 12 alcohol storage vats and tanker.

Remaining works to be done on site contained in the planning application include development of a tank farm containing 24 alcohol storage vats with an associated tanker unloading area, and parking areas.

Plans also contain proposals for a high-level walkway, support plant and control building, an overhead pipe bridge and walkway connecting the new tank farm to the main plant area, a water reservoir, and extensions to the existing bottling hall, materials store and warehouse.

The Fox & Geese bottling facility was originally developed in the 1950s by John Power & Son for cask storage warehousing. The first bottling facility at the site was opened in 1965 and a year later in 1966 the site came under the control of IDL when the company was formed through an amalgamation of Cork Distilleries Co., John Power & Son and John Jameson & Son.