Redevelopment of the Kilmeaden Cheese Factory: What’s Coming—and Why It Matters for Kilmeaden

Key Highlights from the Article (WLRFM, Sept 8, 2025):

• Developers Crag Rathnew DC Ltd and Kent Homes Ltd have submitted a planning application for a 10-year redevelopment of the former Kilmeaden Cheese Factory site in County Waterford.

• The 108.79-hectare site at Blacknock and Adamstown, adjacent to the R680 Regional Road, is set for a major transformation.

• Key components of the plan include:

  • A new village centre with a gym, café, health centre, pharmacy, offices, a community centre, supermarket with garden centre, and two commercial buildings.Four apartment blocks offering 132 homes (24 one-bed units, 108 two-bed units)

  • A technology park featuring five buildings for offices, light industry, R&D, plus an ICT data facility with modular data halls powered by a central energy unit using 16 gas turbines.

  • A 40 MW solar farm, comprising over 104,000 photovoltaic panels, with transformers, tracks, and security infrastructure.

  • Supporting infrastructure: new access road onto the R680, pedestrian and cycle links, a bridge over a watercourse, stormwater management (attenuation ponds, swales), and a wastewater treatment plant.

  • Thorough environmental safeguards, including an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS).

  The site notice was erected on 8 September 2025, marking the official start of the planning process.

---

Why This Redevelopment Is Crucial for Kilmeaden

1. Economic Revival

   The factory once anchored Kilmeaden’s economy, producing cheese from the 1960s until 2006. Its revival as a mixed-use hub—with housing, commercial services, and a tech park—could reinvigorate local job creation and economic activity.

2. Community Infrastructure & Services

   The addition of a health centre, café, community centre, pharmacy, and supermarket will transform Kilmeaden into a self-sufficient, attractive place to live—serving both new and existing residents.

3. Sustainable Growth & Green Energy

   The inclusion of a 40 MW solar farm and green infrastructure reflects a forward-looking, environmentally conscious approach to development. This could position Kilmeaden as a regional leader in sustainable rural regeneration.

4. Modern Connectivity & Mobility

   New roads, pedestrian and cycle links, and a site bridge will better connect Kilmeaden to its surroundings—enhancing mobility for residents and visitors alike.

5. Balancing Development with Environment

   With an EIAR and NIS included, the development is being designed to respect ecological and planning standards—critical in an area known for natural beauty and heritage.