A huge new storage and distribution hub in the Craigavon area – earmarked for Northern Ireland Electricity – could see a welcome £4 million investment in County Armagh.
And the development – at Silverwood Business Park º is expected to create around 250 jobs for the local construction industry.
In addition, a further 10 permanent full-time roles are expected when up and running.
A planning application has now been submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
It follows a pre-planning consultation exercise, required given that the application falls within the ‘major’ category of development.
The applicant is Silverwood Business Park, with a supporting statement compiled by TSA Planning.
The hope is to build a new storage and distribution hub, complete with offices, external servicing and storage yard, car parking and associated site and access works.
The new hub would stretch to close to 53,000 sq ft if and when built.
The exact location is described as being “on lands 545m south east of the Eastway entrance, bound by the adjacent railway line to the south and Beverage Plastics and NIE Network Plants workshop to the north, at Silverwood Business Park, Craigavon”.
The supporting statement confirms: “The intended end user of this proposal is NIE, who already have significant operational facilities within the business park.
“To facilitate growth on this existing site, the proposal will help provide for the long-term operation of the company at Silverwood, whilst also ensuring the company can operate at full capacity.”
The hub will take the form of two separate 25,000 sq ft warehouses, as well as additional office accommodation.
Access to the site will be taken off existing road infrastructure within the business park, with “hardstanding provided around the warehouse for lorry manoeuvring”.
There would be a total of 18 car parking spaces, a dock leveller and eight secure bike parking spaces.
The supporting statement concludes: “The proposal should be considered acceptable in this location, through the existing surrounding uses, land zoning, prevailing policy and all other material planning considerations.
“The proposal represents a significant investment of around £4million in the Craigavon area and once operational, the warehouse will provide in the region of 10 jobs, with approximately 250 construction roles through the build period.”
The proposals will now be advertised shortly.
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