Business Supports
Roscommon County Council
The type of services which Roscommon County Council provide of relevance to business start-up or relocation are:
- Pre-Planning meetings
- Planning permission
- Change of use for buildings
- Road opening license
- Waste management
- Access to water schemes for more rurally based business
- Arts officer supporting Creative business
- Tourism officer advising tourism businesses
- Providing information on broadband providers in your area
- Providing information on premises available for purchase/rent
- Providing access to business information and newspapers/business magazines throughout its network of libraries
- Providing free internet access in its library network.
The Local Enterprise Office
The Local Enterprise Office (LEO) is also part of Roscommon County Council.
It provides an extensive range of supports for business which are available at www.localenterprise.ie/Roscommon
- The services include:
- Providing business information and advice
- Business skills training
- Mentoring support
- Financial assistance
- Management development programmes.
Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the Irish Government agency responsible for the development and promotion of manufacturing and internationally traded services companies.
Enterprise Ireland is particularly keen to speak to individuals who may be returning to Ireland and thinking of starting their own internationally focused business.
They provide funding and supports for companies – from entrepreneurs with business propositions for a high potential start-up through to large companies expanding their activities, improving efficiency and growing international sales. They are also very interested in working with individuals involved in third-level research, particularly those who have an interest in commercialising their research, as well as serial or repeat entrepreneurs who might consider setting up a business in this Region.
Enterprise Ireland’s High Potential Start-Up (HPSU) team provides hands-on support and advice to entrepreneurs and early stage companies that are considered by Enterprise Ireland to have an innovative product, service or technology, and have the potential to achieve exports sales and create employment.
If you are thinking of starting a new business with export potential or are currently raising investment for your start-up venture, then you may qualify for support and investment.
Some Enterprise Ireland Clients in Roscommon include: Aurivo Dairy Ingredients, P&G Cards and Arigna Fuels Limited.
IDA
IDA Ireland Roscommon is part of the West Region for IDA Ireland who work to retain and bring foreign direct investment into Ireland.
Funding and grants are available to those considering direct investment in Ireland. These are negotiated on a case by case base in compliance with Irish and EU legislation. The IDA has been successful in bringing a range of International companies to Ireland e.g. Google, Facebook, Intel and in the case of Roscommon, the companies it works with include Cubis, Alexion, Jazz pharmaceuticals, Alkermes, Harmac and others.
Third Level Institutions
Roscommon is in close proximity to a number of top quality third level education facilities.
Each of these facilities have different specialisms and are very keen to work and facilitate new companies either starting up or relocating to County Roscommon.
The closest facilities are:
To discuss the supports available to your business, please contact:
Louise Ward
Head of Roscommon LEO
T: 090 6637267
E: louise.ward@leo.roscommoncoco.ie
Nollaig Whyte
Economic Development Officer
Roscommon County Council
T: 090 6637366
E: nwhyte@roscommoncoco.ie
Eiméar Dowd
Tourism Officer
Roscommon County Council
T: 090 6637369
E: edowd@roscommoncoco.ie
Mary Mullins
Arts Officer
Roscommon County Council
T: 090 6637321
E: mmullins@roscommoncoco.ie
Serviced Sites at Ballyboughan Industrial Park
Ballyboughan Industrial Park, targeted at “Clean Business”, is ideally located on the outskirts of Roscommon town on the Castlerea Road, adjacent to national primary route access to Dublin and the West of Ireland.
It consists of 16 fully serviced sites of various sizes from .5 to 1.2 acres. A number of the sites are already occupied by successful award winning businesses. The sites include roads, footpaths, water supply, surface water, foul sewer, electricity, communications infrastructure and fencing to rear of all sites.
The sites have the services in place but there will be connection fees.
Costs
- A half acre site is €35,000 plus VAT – there are development charges of €20/Sq metre for buildings – full detail will be outlined at a pre-planning meeting.
- Stamp duty of 6% of site costs is also applicable.
- Each applicant should arrange with the relevant utility provider in relation to connection and costs for electricity, water, waste etc. These utilities are not operated by Roscommon County Council so will be costs that applicants arrange with the relevant service providers.
What to do if you wish to purchase a site?
Roscommon County Council requests that you arrange a pre-planning meeting should you be interested in furthering your enquiry with a view to applying for planning permission in the near future.
Pre-Planning meetings can be organised by contacting:
Planning Department
T: 090 6637100 ext 513
E: planning@roscommoncoco.ie
To discuss purchasing a site please contact:
Louise Ward
Head of Roscommon LEO
T: 086 8051366
E: louise.ward@leo.roscommoncoco.ie
Enterprise/Hot Desking Space
Should you wish to avail of a serviced office space or hot-desking space in Roscommon, there are excellent options available.
The Cube in Roscommon Town
This desk-incubation facility in Roscommon town provides flexible desk space with 100mb broadband speed, IP telephony, meeting space and other support services at very flexible attractive terms.
The Cube consists of 14 desk spaces across 3 rooms. It is aimed at new and existing enterprises and hot-desk workers who require a modern, professional environment with advanced connectivity to research, set up and operate their business.
The facility is managed by WestBIC in partnership with Roscommon County Council and Roscommon LEO and provides networking opportunities and linkages to a range of enterprise and innovation supports with a one-stop shop approach.
Contact:
Louise Ward
Head of Roscommon LEO
T: 090 6637267
E: louise.ward@leo.roscommoncoco.ie
Ballaghaderreen Enterprise Centre Services
Ballaghaderreen & Districts Development Association have developed an Enterprise Centre in Ballaghaderreen for business in the start up phase.
The centre consists of:
- An area of 1,050sq.m. made up of two blocks
- One block is the admin block, 300 sq. Meters
- Second block, 750 sq. meters contains 7 units on two floors
- Crèche facilities.
The Enterprise Park provides work space for small and medium sized enterprises in the area, at reasonable cost.
Contact:
Ballaghaderreen Enterprise Centre
The Shambles, Charlestown Road
Ballaghaderreen
Co.Roscommon
T: +353(0)94 9860662
E: ocall@iol.ie
Boyle Enterprise Centre Services
Boyle Enterprise & More is a community enterprise centre based in the heart of Boyle and run by Boyle Chamber of Commerce.
The centre offers the following:
- Fully serviced individual workspace units in a range of sizes, suitable for one person operations and larger businesses.
- Incorporates a high level of technology fit-out and facilities and High speed wireless internet access
- High quality deskspace/ hot desking and virtual office options
- Rental/lease agreements designed to suit your business – from one week to two years
- Serviced reception area
- Secure 24×7 working environment
- Package & mail receiving
- Full time centre management
- Photocopying, scanning and fax facilities
- Kitchen facility
The Centre also has an Approved Computer Suite accommodating up to twenty people and a variety of meeting/conference/training rooms of various sizes and layouts
Contact:
Boyle Enterprise & More Enterprise Centre
Quarry Lane
Boyle
Co. Roscommon
T: +353(0) 71 9673100
E: info@boyleenterprise.com
Roscommon Enterprise Centre Services
Roscommon Enterprise Centre, run by Roscommon Chamber of Commerce is based adjacent to the national primary route on the edge of Roscommon Town.
The centre consists of eight incubation units within an area of 10,000 sq. ft (8,000 sq. ft. of enterprise space and 2,000 sq. ft. of office space). Crèche space is available. The offices are located at the front of the building with the units at the back. Current office and canteen space have been redeveloped.
Contact:
Cait McConn
President Roscommon Chamber of Commerce
E: cait29@gmail.com
Castlerea Enterprise Centre
Castlerea Enterprise Centre, known as The Hub, is run by Enterprise Castlerea and is based in the town’s Demense adjacent to the Town Centre.
The centre consists of a 30,000 sq. ft. factory with:
- office space
- conference centre
- community facilities
Contact:
Brian Stenson
Enterprise Castlerea
T: +353(0)94 96 20575
The Spool Factory Services
There are a number of privately owned enterprise centres in the County including The Spool Factory Services in Boyle.
The Spool Factory is situated in the former offices of Roscommon Herald in Boyle town centre. The centre consists of the following:
- hot desking space
- serviced office space
- conferencing facilities
- kitchen facilities
- on-site gym facilities
Contact:
Brian Nerney
The Spool Factory
Tel: +353(0)86 257 5032
E: info@thespoolfactory.ie
www.thespoolfactory.ie
Available Industrial Space
Roscommon County Council regularly update the industrial space availability across the County. Industrial space is available in the following areas:
- Athleague
- Ballaghaderreen
- Ballinlough
- Ballydangan
- Boyle
- Castlerea
- Cortober
- Monksland
- Rooskey
- Roscommon
- Strokestown
For further information please contact:
Louise Ward
Head of Roscommon LEO
T: 090 6637267
E: louise.ward@leo.roscommoncoco.ie
Planning Permission for Your Business
Roscommon County Council – Planning Section is the place a business/person applies to in relation to planning permission.
Information on the planning Department in Roscommon County Council is available on www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/Services/Planning/
Pre planning meetings
Pre planning meetings are available to assist you with your enquiries and pre-panning application forms are available on the link above. These meetings provide an opportunity for a prospective applicant to have a clear insight into the planning process in County Roscommon.
The typical information you should submit when looking to arrange a pre-planning meeting application are:
- Site location map
- Draft site layout plan – professionally prepared plans useful but not mandatory
- Site photos
- Outline/overview of the proposal
- Letter of consent from landowner (where relevant)
Please note that while it is not necessary to have the above prepared by an architect/agent, it is advisable to submit as much information as possible. Site levels/contours could be beneficial but are not mandatory.
The Planning Authority strongly caution against proceeding to commission detailed design proposals prior to the principle of the proposed development first being discussed at the initial pre-planning meeting.
Some of the typical questions you may have are:
Is my land zoned and if so, what are the zoning objectives of the lands?
Land zoning is generally set out in a Local Area Plan (LAP) for a town or area. Among other things, these LAPs outline the use to which land may be put, for example, land may be designated for residential use; for industrial, commercial, agricultural or recreational use; as open space; or a mixture of those uses. This is generally described as “zoning”.
The purpose of land use zoning is to indicate the planning and development objectives of the Council for all lands in its administrative area. Zoning objectives seek to promote the orderly and sustainable development of the County by addressing potential conflicts between incompatible land uses and to establish an efficient basis for the appropriate investment in public infrastructure and facilities.
Each land use zoning objective has a supporting vision which sets the context for the type of development which would be acceptable. Uses which are neither ‘Permitted in Principle’ nor ‘Not Permitted’ will be assessed in terms of their contribution towards the achievement of the overall zoning objectives and vision for the particular area.
Do I need planning permission?
Generally, planning permission is required for any development of land or property, unless the development is specifically exempted from this need. The term development includes the carrying out of any works (i.e. building, demolition or alteration) on any land or buildings, and the making of a material (i.e. significant) change of use of land or buildings.
What is exempted development?
Exempted development is development for which planning permission is not required. Categories of exempted development are set out in planning legislation. There are usually certain thresholds relating to for example, size, scale or height. Where these thresholds are exceeded, the exemptions no longer apply and planning permission may then be required. The purpose of exemption is to avoid controls on developments of a minor nature, such as certain interior alterations, small business advertisements, etc.
Can a change of use be exempted development?
Yes, in certain categories which are outlined in the Planning and Development Regulations, 2001 (as amended). Development consisting of a change of use within the same identified use class may be exempted development. This generally applies as long as the change of use does not include the carrying out of any works, requiring planning permission and does not contravene a condition attached to an existing planning permission.
Prospective owners/operators of a business/enterprise are encouraged to contact the Planning Section to discuss any queries they have about proposed changes of use in order to establish if the change is exempt from planning or requires planning permission.
Are there different types of permission?
Yes. An application may be made for:
- Permission;
- Outline permission;
- Permission consequent (subsequent to the grant outline permission)
The most common type of application made is for permission, sometimes referred to as full permission. There are circumstances when you may want to make an application for outline permission. For example, you may want to see whether the planning authority agrees with your proposal in principle before you go to the trouble of making detailed plans.
If you obtain outline permission, you must then either obtain full permission/permission consequent before starting work. In most cases, a subsequent application for permission must be made within 3 years of the date of grant of outline permission. Outline permission cannot be sought for retention of a structure, works to a protected structure or a proposed protected structure or developments which require an environmental impact assessment, integrated pollution control licence or a waste licence.
How do I make a planning application?
For details on making a planning application please visit:
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