Hundreds of new jobs expected for Newry following major planning decision by Attwood
Published on Wed, 23 May 2012
by ecomms@doeni.gov.uk.
Environment Minister Alex Attwood today announced his decision to grant planning permission for a very significant new development at Greenbank in Newry.
Greenbank Industrial Estate, Warrenpoint Road will be transformed with cafes and restaurants, an Enterprise/Innovation Centre, fifty apartments for use as social housing, a foodstore, non-food retail units, a covered mall and a new riverside walkway and cycleway.It is anticipated that this will create 1,130 new jobs in Newry city.
Alex Attwood said: “This will be a tremendous boost for the city of Newry. It will bring significant economic and social benefits, including up to 1,130 new jobs, much needed social housing and a new riverside walkway and cycleway. This is especially welcome given the economic downturn.
“I am very conscious of the fact that there are jobs associated with the existing business on the site, and I recognise the ongoing efforts to acquire an alternative site in Newry to which the existing business can be relocated. There is no doubt that the proposed redevelopment of the site will help create a better place to live, work and invest in the Newry area.”
The proposal will help deliver a number of the objectives in the Programme for Government including increasing visitor numbers, supporting the promotion of new jobs and delivering social housing.
The Minister concluded: “This is just one of many large planning applications, known as Article 31s, that I am making decisions on. There are around 50 applications in this category in Northern Ireland at present and I intend to have decisions on the majority of those in the coming months, decisions which will be a catalyst for significant social and economic benefits for Northern Ireland.”
Notes to editors:
1. The application was submitted 26 November 2009.
2. The application is for full planning permission for demolition and clearance of existing buildings from site and construction of retail led, mixed use regeneration scheme to incorporate a food superstore comprising of 8,826 square metres gross floorspace, non-food retail units comprising of 17,917 square metres gross floor space and an additional convenience unit of 1,526 metres gross floorspace, arranged in a covered mall, cafes/restaurants comprising of 1,719 square metres gross floorspace, Enterprise/Innovation Centre comprising of 3,030 square metres gross floorspace within class B1 of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order 2004, 50 No apartments for social/affordable housing with private rooftop open space, 1,146 No basement and surface level car parking spaces, riverside walk and public open space incorporating hard and soft landscaping, service yards and access from Warrenpoint Road.
3. The application was designated one of major importance under Article 31 of the Planning (NI) order on 9 December 2009.
4. The application was dealt with by the Department of Environment’s Strategic Planning Division.
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