A new £4 million petrol filling station – which will create in the region of 25 jobs – has been given approval by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
And the earmarked location is at Banbridge, on lands at Cascum Link, adjacent to the A1 to be precise.
An application for the development, in the name of the Lotus Group, was submitted in the summer.
And ABC Council has accepted the recommendation by planners that the development should be allowed to proceed.
The jobs created will be both full and part-time positions, with many other employment opportunities expected during the construction phase.
The intention is for eight pumping stations within a covered forecourt.
There will be a retail unit stretching to in excess of 4,500 sq feet.
The convenience store – which will also serve food – has toilet provision, as well as internal seating, while incorporating an external picnic area for customers too.
There will be a self-service car wash area and a service area for air and water.
And the overall development – on what is described as a ‘gateway site’ – will be surrounded by steel bollards 1.5 metres in height.
An ATM is included for the convenience of customers, while siteworks and access also feature in the plans.
According to a supporting statement accompanying the application in the summer, the site is “strategically positioned on the southern periphery of Banbridge to avail of those travelling on the A1 dual carriageway, visiting the Boulevard or travelling between Belfast and Newry”.
There will be an extension to the existing footpaths to connect the site to the “wider pedestrian network servicing the Boulevard”.
The supporting statement says the development – which represents a “significant” investment – will “not undermine the function of Banbridge town centre”.
