Coca-Cola confirms plans for a major extension at Ballina site
The European Refreshments Unlimited Company (Coca-Cola) has confirmed plans to give its Ballina plant a major boost, with a new two-storey staff facility and an expanded car park that will feature a range of sustainable measures.
The multinational corporation has lodged a planning application outlining proposals for a modern restaurant to replace the existing staff canteen, along with upgraded changing and welfare facilities to support its growing workforce in Mayo.
With a workforce of more than 500 people, the company is one of the county’s biggest employers and has been a strong part of the local business landscape since 1999, operating from its 100-acre site on the Killala Road.
The new staff facility will include upgraded changing rooms and welfare areas on the ground floor, with a new restaurant, kitchen and associated accommodation on the first floor.
A corridor will link the extension to an existing building on site from the first floor, and a temporary single-storey structure will be removed as part of the works. The overall development will cover approximately 1.18 hectares.
Sustainable transport and accessibility feature strongly in the plans. A total of 51 new parking spaces are proposed, including six equipped with electric vehicle charging points and a further 12 are ducted for future chargers.
In addition, six existing spaces will be reconfigured to create three designated disabled parking bays. These measures are in line with Mayo County Council’s Development Plan 2022-2028. Secure bicycle parking and improved drop-off and loading areas are also included.
The application says that the redesigned layout is intended to meet current operational needs while providing room for future expansion at one of the company’s key manufacturing hubs in Europe.
Access to the new facilities will be through the existing internal road, ensuring minimal disruption to day-to-day operations during construction.
The planning application follows an earlier development that was given the green light last year when Mayo County Council approved a large-scale solar farm.
The 16.5-hectare solar PV project at Belleek was designed to generate the majority of the plant’s electricity needs and was expected to cut carbon emissions at the site by approximately 7,900 tonnes.
Ballina’s Coca-Cola facility is one of the largest employers in the area, supporting hundreds of jobs directly and indirectly, and acts as a cornerstone of the local economy.
By using the Ballina freight rail line, the plant also strengthens local and regional industry links, helping to transport goods while reducing the number of heavy trucks on local roads.
The company’s ongoing investment in new staff facilities, renewable energy and sustainable logistics reflects Coca-Cola’s long-term commitment to north Mayo.
The planning department at Mayo County Council has until January, 6, 2026 to make a decision on the application.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.