The Applegreen service station planned for Gortnahown in Mitchelstown is now one step closer to becoming a reality, as there were no objections lodged with An Bord Pleanala within the four week deadline, which passed just this week.

It could be plain sailing from here on in for the company but businesses people in the town are fearful that the development will pose a threat.

Chairman of the Mitchelstown Business Association, Mark Waldron said that the business association’s main concern is keeping the garages, shops and food outlets within Mitchelstown and on the outskirts in business.

“It will put the garages under pressure and people need to shop local to keep these places open,” Mark said.

He added that in his personal opinion, big companies like Applegreen only care about money and profit ‘and won’t be enriching community life, by supporting various clubs and organisations’. 

Meanwhile, there were a number of objections to the similar development planned for Moorepark, Fermoy and a decision on this is expected in January.

The plans for the Applegreen  station include a shop, take-aways and restaurants with a drive through facility, internal and external play areas and parking for 66 cars, two heavy goods vehicles and four coaches.

Applegreen already have 40 stations around the country and the nearest one to Mitchelstown is in Clonmel.