The members of the Donegal Co-Op Livestock Mart committee this week struck a deal to allow the development of a new mart at a site at Tullyearl.
At a meeting on Monday night, the committee members voted to sign a contract with Bennett Developments which, it has been claimed, will secure the future of livestock trading in the area. The contract will allow the current mart at Milltown to be developed as a commercial retail interest, while a new mart will be developed at Tullyearl.
Speaking to the Donegal Post on Tuesday, local mart secretary, Seamus Carbin, said that the deal with Bennett Developments was a “very positive” outcome that had secured the future of livestock trading in the North West.
Mr Carbin said: “Under the terms of the contract, Bennett Developments will build us a new state-of-the-art livestock facility at Tullyearl. They are then going to pay us an additional €3 million for the existing mart site after we complete the move to the new premises.”
The secretary also paid tribute to the hard work of the mart staff for ensuring the continuing success of Donegal Mart during a difficult time for Irish agriculture.
He said: “It’s been quite a struggle to keep the Livestock Mart open as there has been a serious decline in agriculture in recent years. However, it’s down to the hard work of the staff that Donegal Mart has increased business ands become the premier mart in the North West. Having a brand new mart at Tullyearl will keep that going.”
Bennett Developments Limited confirmed this week that it has now agreed contracts with the Donegal Livestock Mart and had paid a deposit.
It has also withdrawn the existing planning application before An Bord Pleanala for the planned new mart and will lodge a new planning application in the coming weeks.
A spokesperson for the company said: “These steps will expedite the delivery of the new Mart at Tullyearl and also the development of the retail/commercial project for the existing Mart site.”