A huge mixed-use development – with a new flagship Home Bargains store, complete with cafe and garden centre – could see an investment in the region of £90 million in Newry and the creation of up to 560 new jobs when complete.
An additional 250 jobs could be created within the local construction industry if the proposals are given the go-ahead.
A hybrid planning application has been submitted to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council detailing what is planned.
The applicant is TJ Morris – Home Bargains’ parent company – and the proposals include retail, industrial and residential development.
If successful, the current Home Bargains store would relocate to a much larger unit on this new site.
According to the application, the development is earmarked on three parcels of land, taking in the “former Customs Post and open ground”, and there would be a total of 520 parking spaces.
Specifically, the location is described as being on “lands to the south and east of Carnbane Way/Shepherds Way roundabout, Carnbane Way, Newry and lands to the rear of Damolly Meadows, Newry”.
As a hybrid application, full approval is being sought for some elements – namely two large retail units, garden centre and one industrial unit – with an outline proposal which largely relates to four more industrial outlets. This means essentially reserved matters, which can be fully developed if approval is given to the outline application there.
The main part of the site is for the new Home Bargains outlet.
CGI images of the proposed retail park in Newry
According to supporting information, it is described as a ‘flagship’ store – stretching to 3,252 sq metres – which will include a new 929 sq metre garden centre.
The Home Bargains store will “provide a mix of food and non-food goods” with an “ancillary café area of 202 sq m”.
There would also be a second large store stretching to 2,230 sq metres which will also sell a “mix of food and non-food goods” in a “modern retail unit”.
Collectively, the retail units will have 275 parking spaces and 90 more for ‘overspill’ parking.
The plans also detail service yards, a bus stop lay-by, the development of roads, a new bridge over the Newry River, retaining walls, landscaping, access – as well as an internal roundabout – and associated siteworks.
Full approval is sought for one of five industrial units, with outline permission then being sought for four more.
This part of the hybrid application also details a 140 sq metre coffee unit – with 15 parking spaces – as well as a gatehouse.
The industrial units vary in size, the smallest being 929 sq metres and the largest 2,322 sq metres. All come with their own dedicated parking spaces for both cars and HGVs.
The residential part of the proposals is for nine three-bedroom houses, with access from Ardmore Road.
According to a supporting statement: “This is an excellent location for a mixed retail, commercial, industrial and residential development.
“It is an accessible location, and is in close proximity to already established industry, shopping and housing areas. The site has beneficial zonings and planning history that makes this a site that can comfortably accommodate the uses proposed without planning harm, whilst improving the local environmental context.”
CGI images of the proposed retail park in Newry
Falling within the major category of development, it is described as a mixed-use scheme that will “deliver important economic development floorspace in the area”.
The statement says the development would be “phased”, adding: “It is intended that 1,858 sq m of industrial floorspace will be constructed as part as the first phase of development and provided in conjunction with the development of the two retail units.”
It represents a “sensitive redevelopment of part of the former Customs post site and development of whiteland, which respects the nature and built heritage of its context and provides improved shopping opportunities for local people, many of whom will be able to walk, cycle or use public transport to visit this site”.
The economic benefits are described as “extensive”, while the application has been deemed to be “relatively straight forward”.
The supporting statement continues: “Home Bargains already occupies a unit at Damolly Retail Park which is only 700m from the proposal site. Home Bargains will leave this store and relocate to the new site.
“The basic element of this store is a one-for-one store, with improvements in accessing the store and providing a broader product range and other qualitative enhancements.
“The additional second unit will complement the Home Bargains unit.
“The combined retail floorspace of these two units cannot be accommodated in any city centre or town centre or on any more sequentially preferable site.”
The overall plans would see the “redevelopment and regeneration of derelict industrial lands and underutilised settlement lands”.
The statement adds: “The site benefits from a larger full approval for the same mix of uses. This proposal will provide a similar range of uses, but at a reduced level of retail floorspace, which is better designed and more sensitive to the surrounding natural heritage and the residents of the wider area.”
CGI images of the proposed retail park in Newry
The proposals represent an “investment of £80-90 million in the local economy” and will provide between 460 and 560 jobs, with 250 more through construction.
“It is a significant economic boost for Newry,” says the statement.
“The proposal will provide modern retail and industrial units finished with quality materials and a well designed layout and parking.”
The application will now be advertised shortly.
