Good news for the Midlands as Center Parcs gets green light

Deputy Willie Penrose has expressed delight at the decision An Board Pleanala to approve the huge development of land, at Newcastle Wood in Ballymahon Co. Longford, to develop a Forest Holiday Village.

Deputy Penrose commented: “This is great for everyone concerned and will be a tremendous boost for tourism in the Midlands Region, and I look forward to development commencing as soon as possible. It is a red letter day for Longford and the wider Midlands, and has been greeted very positively in Ballymahon and beyond.

“This can become a magnificent “Jewel in the Crown” for the tourism sector and I have no doubt that other significant tourism attractions, such as Belvedere House and Garden, Clonmacnoise, Mullingar Musical Heroes Trial for musical icons such as: Joe Dolan, Niall Horan, The Blizzards will all benefit.

“There will be a total investment of well in excess of €200 million, with 750 jobs created in the construction of the development and up to 1000 jobs available when it is completed.

“It will open up great opportunities for other innovators and entrepreneurs to get involved, and it blends very well with the Canals, Bogs Waterways and Greenway Developments, that have been completed or are afoot.

“The potential economic impact is huge and it will boost investment across Longford and Westmeath, and will be transformative from the perspective of employment opportunities economic activity and spin off opportunities.

“I compliment everyone concerned who put their shoulders to the wheel so as to secure this huge project for the Ballymahon area.

“It is a red letter day for the whole area and having witnessed first-hand how Center Parcs operates in England, I am confident that this will be a great success”.