Plans to build exciting new technology and industrial units in Armagh look set to be approved three years after being submitted.
Officials are to recommend that proposals at Ballynahonemore Road – which would comprise six units – should be given the go-ahead.
The application was first submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council in 2018.
Amended plans were subsequently forwarded two years ago.
As Armagh I revealed at the time, the application had been lodged in the names of Richard, Jason and Mark Shilliday, with the scheme having been designed by DA Architects, based at the nearby Hamiltonsbawn Road.
After considering all amendments in depth, officials will recommend to the April sitting of Council’s planning committee that permission should now be granted.
In all, half a dozen units would be created in two blocks, on a vacant site at Ballynahonemore Road, close to the Orangefield estate.
These are being described as ‘speculative technology units’.
One block would consist of two units – of 2,000 and 1,350 sq ft. The second block would comprise four individual units – three of these would extend to 1,350 sq ft, the fourth against to 2,000 sq ft.
There would also be siteworks and boundary planting, with over 40 car parking spaces provided to accommodate the needs of future tenants.
During the determination process the issue of drainage was considered closely and addressed.
A letter, following up on a detailed report compiled by Lisbane Consultants, accepts that the lands to the north and east of the site are “much higher” than the proposed development land.
But it adds: “To intercept any storm run-off from these lands that may enter the new site, a new cut-off drain will be provided. These drain will collect any run-off entering the site and convey into the new storm soakaways.”
Council has been told that the development would see an estimated 10 new jobs being created.
The council has also been informed that the development would be constructed on “vacant land” within the development limit of the Armagh Area Plan 2004, which still stands.
As Armagh I previously reported, part of the site takes in a former council-owned play area, which was bought by the applicants after a play strategy review by council determined a preference for larger ‘destination’ parks in urban centres, catered for by the developments at the Palace and Drumadd.
The planning committee will decide next week whether or not to accept the recommendation for approval to be granted.
