Major plans to transform a derelict mill in Bessbrook, with a whopping £60 million of investment backing – have been amended for the second time due to “scale” concerns.
Plans for the mixed-use development were first submitted in August 2023, proposing the former Bessbrook Mill site and one-time army base to be transformed into a combination of housing, retail and office accommodation.
If approved, it was thought that the plans would not only bring the vacant listed premises back into productive use but that it would also create scores of jobs in the process.
However, since its submission the application has been met with resistance from the local community.
Most recently, a 110-page petition in objection to the development was submitted – in the name of John Davis – adding to more than 100 objections that had already been received.
Each page of the petition contained ten spaces for signatures with a box asking for a “yes” or “no” response to the site being developed for residential use or SME industrial use… the overwhelming majority said “no” to residential use, with only two answering “yes” and one person saying “yes for private use and no for social housing”.
Conversely, the majority of respondents said “yes” to redevelopment for SME industrial use.
The Ulster Architectural Heritage (UAH) also submitted a separate objection, adding: “UAH wish to object to the planned proposals at Bessbrook Mill. Concerning imagery shows a high-quality local granite wall being removed on the Derrymore Road which is part of the listing of Bessbrook Mill.
“The density of housing on the site is also a concern and would reduce the significance of this built heritage asset. Additionally proposed demolition of the weaving sheds which is also part of the listing would be detrimental to how the building is read and understood and in fact such spaces have been widely adapted and utilised for business and industrial use. UAH therefore object to the proposed plans.”
In September 2025, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council issued the applicants with a letter to say that, following a meeting hosted by the Council’s Planning Department on September 11, they found the proposed development in its current form to be “unacceptable” with several “fundamental issues that need to be addressed”.
Among the issues addressed, the Council explained they are of the view that the site is “significantly over developed”, the proposal is unacceptable in terms of “scale, massing, design, the sub-standard level of parking provided, the extent of hard surfaced areas and the lack of amenity space provided throughout the site” and overall “through the layout and design the development proposal appears disconnected from Bessbrook rather than forming an enhancement to and an integral component of the village”.
The Planning Department afforded the applicant – Keady-based Farlstone Construction Ltd – the opportunity to address all the issues raised and requested the applicant to advise on the timeframe required to submit amended drawings and supporting information.
Plans had already been revised for the project in April 2024. Initially, the proposals sought permission for a total of 272 residential units – comprising 214 apartments and 58 houses – two retail units, three office units and a gym.
These were then reduced to 264 residential and the two retails units, reduced to one.
Now in March 2026, the plans have been further reduced to 219 apartments and 48 houses on the site. The plans provide for three office units within the complex and one gym.
Overall, this equates to just shy of a 20% decrease in the scheme’s size since the original application was submitted.
Submissions on the updated plans are once again being accepted from the public up until March 20, 2026.
