A new petrol filling station and shop – complete with deli and off-licence – has been given the green light on the outskirts of Armagh.
The proposals will see the demolition of the former Truddens shop to make way for this exciting new development which will bring much-needed jobs and services to this rural area.
The plans, in the name of Mr and Mrs C Lappin, have this week been given the go-ahead by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
The site in question is on “lands at 283 Newtownhamilton Road”, which currently house a shop and house.
The plans were submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council three years ago with a decision to proceed now given.
Up to 30 jobs could be created during the construction of the new facilities, which would take up to a year to complete.
And a further 16 jobs – both part-time and full-time – are expected to be available when up and running.
The plans are for a petrol filling station, including “ancillary convenience store with off sales” to replace the existing shop.
Car parking, landscaping and associated siteworks are also included.
The Lappin have run a small business at the earmarked location, still known locally as Trudden’s Shop, close to the family home.
These ambitious proposals will involve the demolition of the existing shop and the site being completely cleared and a new outlet constructed in its place.
The new retail facility would stretch to close to 2,800 sq ft.
The Lappins’ new venture will include shop and off-sales, together with a deli, food prep area, toilet provision, staff facilities, stores, office accommodation and front and rear lobbies.
There will be a single-island, four-bay fuel station.
The proposals also include parking provision – 28 car spaces, eight for bicycles and HGV spaces too.
The site currently consists of a “shop and a dwelling”, according to the submission to council. A house at the junction of the Armaghbreague Road and Newtownhamilton Road currently reduces visibility, which poses a “danger to road users”, and the applicant will demolish it to “facilitate improved access for the general public”.
A planning statement indicates that it would not be “economically viable” to provide an extension or refurbish the existing shop, and adds: “Replacement is the only viable solution.”
The statement argued there was a real need for this development, making the assertion there are “no facilities along the entire 16km route from Armagh to Newtownhamilton”.
It adds: “This investment will make a significant contribution to the local economy through direct wages and salaries, as well as revenue to be paid to local suppliers, while the council itself will be able to draw upon significant rates levies.”
There were no objections from the public or from statutory bodies.
The planning officials, who had considered the application, reported: “The policy clearly states that, ‘The upgrading of existing filling stations will normally be acceptable unless increased trade would exacerbate a road traffic hazard’. As such the principle of this redevelopment is acceptable.”
And they added: “Officers consider that the use of the site for a petrol filling station with associated shop has been established on the site, and that this application can be considered to be an upgrading of the current facilities on site and while the upgrading is likely to see more users – given the bigger shop, safer access and provision of parking areas – this is not considered to be such that it would create or exacerbate a road traffic hazard, rather in this case, as the existing informal access along the entire frontage along Newtownhamilton Road will be removed in favour of a new access on Armaghbreague Road, it is considered that the proposal will improve roads safety in the immediate area.”
In terms of the shop, the officer reports: “Most petrol filling stations now provide a wide range of retail goods in the associated shop. Many now function as the local shop or small supermarket serving the surrounding population. The important role of such retail provision is recognised. Such shops should however clearly remain secondary to use as a petrol filling station.”
And, having received “all favourable” consultation responses, they concluded: “The small scale nature of the shop, which is to be ancillary to the petrol filling station and cannot be severed and operated independently, is such that it will not have an adverse impact on the viability or viability of any neighbouring village/town or city.”
