Plans to demolish a filling station on the outskirts of Dungannon and build four new car showrooms have been given the go-ahead.
The multi-million pound development – now rubber-stamped by Mid-Ulster District Council – is expected to bring a jobs boost for the area, both during construction and when up and running.
The now-approved proposals for the expansive site at Moy Road were drawn up by Donnelly Brothers and first revealed by Armagh I last October.
The applicant will now be able to remove the existing filling station and shop, as well as forecourt, two vehicle showrooms, workshops and offices.
And in their place, the family-owned business will build four new car showrooms – and “ancillary supporting accommodation” – fronting on to the main Moy Road, next to Howard Primary School.
The plans will see the number of staff on site daily increase by five, from 58 to 63.
Each of the four new side-by-side showrooms will have its own admin office accommodation.
They would boast a common ‘handover area’, as well as customer waiting and hospitality area, which includes a new barista bar.
Set away from the showrooms would be a separate staff quarters, including staff dining area and toilet provision, as well as two boardrooms.
The proposals also include car parking, complete with disabled provision, for customers.
There were no objections received to the plans during the consultation report.
And the planning official tasked with determining the application had made a recommendation to approve which was accepted by council.
The official’s report states: “I am content the scale, form, design and materials are acceptable for a building within Dungannon settlement limit.
“The showroom will be sited at the existing Donnelly Group car garage and there is a Jaguar car showroom to the southeast of the site. The proposed building will have the same external finishes as the Jaguar and Land
rover showroom so I consider the design and materials are not out of character for the area.
“I am content the proposal respects the constraints of the site as there is an area to the rear of the existing petrol station for cars to be purchased and an existing showroom for Citroen and Honda.
“I consider the proposal will not create a detrimental impact on neighbouring amenity through noise, smells, pollution. The building will serve as car sales so there will no car maintenance which would create noise or smells.
“The site is not within any designated conservation interests within the plan, so I have no concerns in this regard.”
A signed notice of approval will now be forwarded to the applicant.
