Mussel farm puts €350m Wexford scheme in doubt

Deerland Construction, a Kilkenny development company, had obtained permission to build a two million square foot development in Wexford town that would include a hotel, shopping centre, offices and leisure facilities. The scheme would ultimately employ more than 2,000 people.

However, the company believes that a decision by the Department of Marine to grant the Lett Group, one of the largest suppliers of mussels in the country, an aquaculture licence for the nearby harbour has thrown the scheme into jeopardy. The company appealed the decision to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB), the state appeals body for aquaculture licences.

However, the appeal was thrown out. Deerland has now initiated High Court proceedings in an effort to overturn the decision.

The company is seeking judicial review, claiming that it had already secured planning permission for the €350 million development. In order to build the development, Deerland needs to reclaim land from the harbour, and the company believes the aquaculture licence would prevent this from happening.

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