Plans for a huge new multi-million-pound industrial park development could bring 150 jobs to Newry if approved.
Proposals have been lodged with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
At this stage, outline planning approval is being sought, the submission coming after a pre-application consultation carried out in the spring of 2024.
The plans relate to a site on “lands at Craigmore Road, adjacent to Nos 22–26 Craigmore Road and opposite Meadowbrook Park, Newry”.
The applicant, Colin Meehan and Co Ltd, plans to create the mixed-use development on an area currently described as “agricultural” land.
In all, a total of 31 units are planned for a variety of uses relating to industry, business, and storage and distribution. The development would stretch to over 70,000 sq ft.
A new access is also proposed from Craigmore Road to facilitate the development.
The plans also include a total of 354 car parking spaces.
Landscaping and ancillary works feature too.
It is estimated the development would see 150 staff on site daily when up and running, with more jobs created through the construction phases.
The proposals had originally included housing as part of the overall scheme, but this element was removed after public feedback received during the pre-application consultation.
According to a design and access statement, the detailed layout of the proposed site will be considered at the ‘reserved matters’ stage.
It adds: “Six types of buildings are proposed with a mix of Class B1 Business, Class B2 Light Industrial, Class B3 General Industrial and Class B4 Storage and Distribution.
“The units will be sited in clusters with appropriate access and parking provision.
“A 5m-wide planted buffer is proposed along the site boundaries. Soft landscaping is also proposed between the clusters of units and along the internal road network. All proposed planting will be native species.”
A single access is proposed off Craigmore Road.
And for those on foot, the design statement adds: “Pedestrian access will be provided with a new 2m footway along Craigmore Road and will connect the site to Craigmore Way.
“A separate pedestrian access will be provided from the north on Craigmore Road and traverse through the site to facilitate potential future greenway plans, subject to the Department for Infrastructure.”
The access statement also highlights its close proximity to other developments in the area.
It states: “The site is positioned between industry (Craigmore Business Park and Norbrook Laboratories) to the south and east, and existing residential development (Meadowbrook Park) located opposite to the northeast. Two rows of terraced housing are located to the north of the site with further residential dwellings located along Craigmore Road.”
The Newry bypass is about 150m to the west, while the Fiveways Armagh Road Roundabout is around 200m to the east.
The statement says the development has been “comprehensively designed to ensure there will be no harm to the amenities of nearby residents”, while assessments demonstrate “there will be no adverse impact by way of noise”, nor will it “cause flooding elsewhere”.
“Structured landscaping (minimum 5m belt) is proposed along site boundaries to ensure the development is suitably screened and integrated into the surroundings to soften any visual impact,” it adds.
The application will now be advertised shortly.
