It is being undertaken by Frank Harrington Ltd, the firm who were the main contractors to the building of the nearby Knock International Airport and the recently completed Longford bypass. The company already employ 150 workers.

A major environmental statement covering all aspects of the planned development has been lodged with the planning permission as the development will be subject to a licence application under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992.

The company is one of the largest in the country involved in the production of sand and aggregates, concrete pipes, blocks and other such products. The planning application is for a cement manufacturing plant and ancillary works with a sewerage treatment unit together with the proposed extraction of limestone from an area of almost 30 hectares in the townlands of Carrowscoltia, Scardaun, Ballyhine and Ballynacloy.

If approval is forthcoming it will be the second such facility of its kind in the Republic, the other being Cement Roadstone Holdings.

Government Chief Whip, Jim Higgins said the development would transform the economy of the region of South East Mayo and would result in long term excellent employment prospects for the region.

A member of Mayo County Council, Mr John Flannery has welcomed the development stating it was just what the area needed.