Council in advanced talks with
IDA over site at Knockhouse
The deadline for submission of tenders to excavate and prepare a 45-acre greenfield site at Knockhouse to make way for a major multinational pharmaceutical closed last week, with archaeological testing already underway on the IDA-owned lands.
Preparation works could start at the site within weeks, paving the way for a multibillion euro development by the unnamed pharmaceutical, which is understood to be in advanced negotiations with the IDA about making an investment of between €500 million and €1 billion in Waterford that could create hundreds of jobs.
Last Wednesday was the deadline to accept tender documents for the excavation and site clearance works at the site, which is bounded by the Carrickphierish Road and the Old Kilmeaden Road, with the site’s main entrance located on the latter.
The tender document issued by Waterford City and County Council confirmed that a 20-metre exclusion zone would be constructed around a Ring Fort located on the site which has been listed on the national Sites and Monuments Record by heritage service Duchas.
Further archaeological testing will be completed on the site this week, prior to commencement of the site development works contract.
Whilst the IDA declined to provide specifics on the potential investor, the tender document outlined that the proposed works will include excavation, filing and landscaping in order to provide “a level platform for future development”.
It is intended to use the excavated soils for filling within the ‘development footprint’ area of the site, to provide acceptable bearing pressures for the future construction of production areas, stores, utility buildings, maintenance workshops, offices and personnel facilities. See News 4 for more.
