EI Electronics have been granted planning permission for a major two-storey expansion of their Shannon headquarters which is expected to double its production facility.

On Wednesday morning, EI Electronics confirmed that Clare County Council had approved plans for the development which will consist of the demolition of an existing service year and carparking area to facilitate the construction of a two-storey extension to the current light-industrial manufacturing facility across a 2.1547ha site.

Other works include an additional ancillary office, R&D areas with a new entrance foyer to be constructed. The present car park will be reconfigured to the south of the proposed building giving an additional seventy five spaces while a new car park will be provide forty four spaces plus a set down area, secure bicycle parking and accessible spaces.

Two loading bays are to be built to the rear of the proposed extension with upgraded vehicular and delivery/service yards, entrances, external open-sided storage enclosure, plant and services compound, rainwater harvesting tanks, plant and photo voltaic units to the roof level with all ancillary landscaping and associated site works and services. The development will also include the partial re-roofing of the existing facility to the northern corner of the campus.

A preliminary desktop flood risk assessment was carried out on the site. On the review of available flood mapping it was found to be located within current predicted flood zoned lands. However it is designated as having a 1 in 1000 chance of coastal or tidal flooding in any given year and is classified as ‘a defended area’ benefiting from a flood defence wall.

The Clare Echo reported in May of EI’s plans to undergo the major expansion. It is yet to be confirmed how many extra jobs will be created as a result. EI Electronics has been based in Shannon for the past fifty six years, its current workforce in the region of 750-800 makes it the largest employer in the Shannon Free Zone. Construction is due to commence in early 2020, a spokesperson for the company confirmed.