The development of a new continental cheese plant at Belview near the Kilkenny-Waterford border has taken a major step forward.

The Supreme Court decided to uphold An Bord Pleanála's ruling to grant planning for Glanbia Ireland and Royal A-ware’s plant.

Fine Gael representatives across the South East, Deputies John Paul Phelan, Charlie Flanagan, Paul Kehoe, David Stanton and Senators John Cummins and Garret Ahearn, have welcomed the decision.

The Fine Gael Oireachtas members said: "We welcome this decision and hope that it is the end of the road for objections.

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"The long delay is regrettable and was wholly avoidable. It clearly demonstrates there is an element within An Taisce that are anti-business and anti-rural.

"We respectfully hope that the long wait is now over for the thousands of farm families in this region who invested in their herds and world-class housing and milking facilities to meet demand for their quality produce and whose livelihoods have been put in jeopardy over the past number of years.

"Unfortunately building cost inflation has spiralled since this project was first proposed and we acknowledge the frustration and the anxiety created for Glanbia Ireland and its Dutch partner in this project.

"It is imperative that no further roadblocks are thrown in the way of this project and that construction can commence without delay."