Plans to redevelop two Newry businesses, which were incinerated in a fire last year, have been given a provisional green light and recommended for approval.
Family-owned Formula Karting Racing at the Greenbank Industrial Estate was gutted, along with the neighbouring House of Murphy, when the blaze broke out in July 2024.
The fire – believed to have broken out at the karting premises – was ruled to be “accidental”, according to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
Related: Formula Karting owners ‘devastated’ after accidental Newry fire destroys building
Since then, the business owned by Jim and Gareth Feenan has been closed to the public and the pair submitted plans for its redevelopment in February of this year.
The proposals for Formula Karting Racing – submitted to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council- requested “re-construction of commercial premises following fire damage and subsequent demolition”.
The proposed new-build premises would consist of 4778sqm of gross floorspace and would be sub-divided into six units which can be accessed via separate doors with a total of 41 car parking spaces provided primarily to the front of the building.
As such, a case officer for the council’s planning department has now recommended the plans for approval – subject to conditions.
The conditions outlined in the provisional approval stipulate that the development shall be begun before the expiration of five years (as required by Section 61 of the Planning Act); that the vehicular access shall be provided in accordance with drawing submitted in March 2024 to ensure satisfactory means of access in the interests of road safety; that prior to development of the site the applicant will submit an updated Flood Risk Assessment and finally, the if any unforeseen ground contamination should be encountered during the development that all works on site should be ceased immediately.
Related: Plans lodged to replace popular businesses gutted in huge Newry blaze
On behalf of House of Murphy and an application by Messrs Murphy also requested the “re-construction” of the business.
Their proposed commercial premises would consist of 4289sqm gross floorspace sub-divided into four units which could be accessed via separate doors.
It is noted that both proposals received no objections.
House of Murphy’s reconstruction has also been recommended for approval subject to the same conditions as Formula Karting Racing.
The application will be put before the planning committee on June 25, with councillors to make a final decision on whether or not the development will proceed.
