Plans have officially been submitted for the multi-million pound development of a substantial mixed-use industrial park that could see the creation of employment opportunities within Lurgan and the surrounding area.
Armagh I first revealed the pre-application notice (PAN) for the development – which was submitted ahead of an official application due to its size – back in January 2025.
The application submitted to Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council was submitted in the name of Down Developments Ltd – a leading building and maintenance firm based in Northern Ireland.
The applicant is currently based at Quarry Business Park – the existing industrial park – adjacent to the lands proposed for development which lay approximately 65m to the East and North-East of units 1-4 Quarry Business Park on the Portadown Road.
And, while few details were known at the time of the PAN submission, according to a Design and Access Statement prepared on behalf of the applicant by Tetra Tech Consulting the new development – if approved – could see the construction of six office units, 22 light industrial units and storage and distribution units, a drive-thru restaurant, a separate restaurant/café, builder’s merchants and two creches.
The office buildings would each be two storeys in height and together would occupy a total of 1858 sqm floorspace on site.
The 22 light industrial units and storage and distribution units would be split across nine blocks located at various locations on site and would extend to a total of 2411 sqm floorspace.
The drive-thru restaurant and separate café/restaurant buildings would both be single storey comprising a total 359 sqm floorspace.
The development would see approximately 2.9 hectares of land – which is currently occupied by an existing builder’s yard and associated office building – transformed into an new mixed-use industrial park on the opposite side of the road to Centrepoint Leisure Complex which has also recently seen the development of a new Asian-style drive-thru restaurant, Waka.
There are also a number of other businesses operating in the area including a Petrol Filling Station, hot food takeaways and various retail and wholesale premises.
Further development of the area would undoubtedly be a welcome boost for local business and – according to Tetra Tech’s supporting statement – see the creation of employment opportunities in the area just circa 0.7 miles from Lurgan town centre.
In support of the application, Tetra Tech adds: “There are also large areas of existing and proposed industrial and employment land uses in this locality, along with existing and proposed residential areas.
“The drive through restaurant/takeaway, restaurant/Café, builders’ merchants and two Crèches will be of benefit to these industrial/employment and residential areas.”
A total of 270 car parking spaces are provided across the proposed development site to service the various facilities and units outlined.
No additional road access is provided under the plans – instead – access will be taken from the existing Quarry Business Park road.
However, the two creche buildings – which are to be located in the north-western corner of the site – will be separated from the remainder of the proposed development and would benefit from their own access (an existing access point) also from the Quarry Business Park road.
The application is due to be advertised shortly.
