The granting of planning permission for an access road into the former Unifi site has fuelled further optimism that as many as 1,000 new jobs could be created for Letterkenny.

Plans for the site are thought to include a new €60 million private hospital which will have a radiotherapy unit, renal dialysis, surgical theatres, a diagnostic department as well as 20 day beds.

In addition to the hospital, proposals for a business park, retail warehouse park, hotel and car showrooms are in the offing.

Reacting to the news, President of Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce, Jason Black said it was a much needed boost for the town and would replenish the huge blow to the economy that followed the closure of Unifi.

He added: “I would welcome the creation of 1,000 new jobs for the town and would particularly like to see a balance of employment with both jobs being created in the service sector and in the high end manufacturing sector.

“There is no doubt people with the necessary skills for these jobs are available here with Letterkenny Institute turning out highly qualified graduates who all too often are having to leave the town for employment.

“These jobs, coupled with the announcement of 300 in Derry solidifies the idea that we are now one area as opposed to two stand alone towns.”

Letterkenny Town Councillor, Dessie Larkin also welcomed the suggestion that so many new jobs could be created in the town, how-ever he warned that any investment must be right.

He said: “We will be meeting with the developers in the very near future and will listen very carefully to the proposals the have.

“I would be particularly keen to see the second plant retained for manufacturing jobs.”