A new petrol filling station and shop will be built at Keady Road, Armagh, if plans for the development are given the go-ahead.
A reserved matters application – relating to the site of the former Armagh Integrated College – has been endorsed by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
The petrol filling station and shop have been approved subject to a number of conditions being laid down.
Outline planning approval has previously been given for a mixed-use development including over 60 houses and a creche.
Plans for the site first emerged in February 2018 after a public consultation event in Armagh, given that the application fell under the ‘major’ category of development.
The filling station application was lodged by SFM Commercials Ltd, based at Tassagh.
It relates to a site described as being on “lands situated adjacent to and south of Rockfield Downs, east of Demesne Park, former Armagh Integrated College site fronting the Keady Road, Armagh”.
According to the professional planners’ report, the design will be “typical of a modern petrol filling station complex”.
The new filling station would boast floorspace of around 4,800 sq ft. In all, close to 2,700 sq ft would be for retail sales, the remainder including seating area and storage and ancillary uses.
It would also have three sets of fuel pumps – giving six bays in total – and a covered canopy.
There would be parking for 36 cars along with four disabled parking bays. There would also be seven staff parking spaces too.
The plans would also see the creation of a tanker delivery area.
In terms of access, the planners report: “The main access arrangements for the proposal will be off the new access road which will service the entire development and adjoins the A29 Keady Road.
“A six metre wide access point will service the petrol filling station and will have footpaths for pedestrian access.”
And on landscaping and the overall site, planners add: “Ash trees are proposed to the western boundary of the site, where the land slopes towards currently an open field which has a planning approval for housing.
“Trees along this boundary will soften the impact of the proposal from the potential dwelling.
“The northern boundary will have palisade fencing separating the petrol filling station from the next phase of the development which will bound the residential properties further north.
“The front of the petrol filling station adjacent to the Keady Road will be laid out in grass in order to maintain clear visibility splays across the front of the development.”
The report also indicates that the shop cannot be sub-divided or extended to create additional units and there is a limit too to the goods which can be sold.
