Planning permission has now finally been granted for the new Tesco store which will be built on a green field site at Ramstown. I have been fighting for this development because I believe it will have an immediately positive effect on our town and district, including:
- Construction jobs – this development will cost over 11m euro. Direct construction jobs will be created during the initial construction phase of the new store and the completion of the inner relief road continuing past Gorey Shopping Centre to end at The Monument
- Retail jobs – this development safeguards the existing jobs as well as boosting the prospects for additional employment due to the expanded store.
The main barrier to this job creating development has been RGDATA, who have held this project up since May with an objection to An Bord Pleanála. I found their planning objection to be particularly spiteful given the high rate of unemployment in our area. It would be impossible for me to let vested self-interests dictate the commercial well-being of our community. I am delighted that An Bord Pleanála have agreed with my view and the development is now proceeding. In the current recession, we simply cannot turn away badly needed new jobs. We need to welcome each hard fought for job creating opportunity with open arms and I will continue to do my utmost to ensure that Gorey gets its fair share, and more.
Outside of the direct jobs benefit that the new store will have, it will also provide a much larger, modern and more comfortable place for locals and visitors to shop. The old store, which was built 20 years ago is simply too small to cater for new needs of our much larger local population. Gorey is now the second largest district in the county (2011 census) with a further huge increase in the summer months and should have a shopping facility to meet the requirement for an area this size. Given that the new store is on the south / Enniscorthy side of the town it is also likely to be a draw for shoppers coming from there, further boosting trade and commercial activity in our area.
I am very pleased this development has been decided as quickly as it has. No longer can external vested interests operate in the old way. Employment must be facilitated not objected to in the way RGDATA have. Wexford construction workers will work on this site. This is the best news story for some time in Gorey.