Proposals to transform a former Dungannon nightclub into a mixed-use shops and apartments development is back on the table – five months after planning approval had been overturned by the High Court.
The proposals centre on the former Fort Bar and Salt Nightclub on Scotch Street.
The applicant, Michael McGlone, of Toomebridge, had earlier been granted approval for three shops at ground floor level and a total of 16 apartments above across four storeys.
But following challenges by local business people, the High Court revoked the approval given by Mid-Ulster District Council.
That ruling came at the end of January.
Now, five months later, and efforts to see the site redeveloped are back under consideration.
As a result of the High Court direction, it was reported in January that the application – originally submitted in March 2024 – would return to Mid-Ulster District Council to be reconsidered from the beginning.
And as part of that process, a fresh public consultation process was required.
Now, the council has written to neighbouring properties of the proposed development site advising of the re-assessment of the application.
It details the proposals for the demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of three shops and 16 apartments with “accompanying landscaping”.
The information was only uploaded to the ‘applications advertised’ section of the council’s own planning portal today (Monday), June 29.
And the deadline for receipt of “any relevant comments” – which will be “considered in assessing this application” – is tomorrow (Tuesday), June 30.
The correspondence also advised recipients: “The council cannot take into account private matters such as boundary disputes, moral issues or impact on a private view.”
DfI Roads – one of the statutory bodies consulted – has already responded and requested additional information surrounding the gross floor area of each of the shops and their intended class of use.
The Department has also asked that an updated transport assessment form is submitted as part of the application.
The original legal challenge had been brought by local traders who raised concerns about the potential impact of the proposed development on Dungannon town centre.
Plans for the new stretch of Scotch Street
Ulster Unionist Party Economy Spokesperson Diana Armstrong MLA had welcomed the ruling at the time, describing it as an important reminder that local voices must be central to town centre regeneration.
“The quashing of planning permission to redevelop the Fort Bar site is a timely reminder that the voices of local traders must be heard,” she said.
“While redevelopment and regeneration of Dungannon town centre are welcome, local businesses were right to raise concerns that these proposals would have hollowed out existing retail space rather than strengthened it. The scale and nature of the proposed retail units were simply not suitable for Dungannon’s main shopping thoroughfare.
“Local business owners are the backbone of our high street, and the UUP will always work to support the small retail business sector which is currently facing unparalleled challenges.
“I welcome the decision to reconsider this application from scratch and encourage residents and traders to engage fully in the new public consultation. Town centre regeneration must be delivered in partnership with local stakeholders and tailored to Dungannon’s real needs.”
The plans were approved at a Mid-Ulster District Council planning committee meeting in September last year, with officers describing the proposal as an opportunity to regenerate a derelict and long-vacant section of Dungannon’s primary retail core.
Officers had argued that the mix of retail and residential use would increase footfall, enhance the streetscape and contribute positively to the vitality of the town centre.
But concerns were raised at the time by DUP Councillor Clement Cuthbertson, who questioned the ratio of residential units to retail space and highlighted practical issues such as bin storage and collection in a busy town centre location.
Despite those concerns, the application was approved by councillors, until set aside by the High Court in January, paving the way for the plans to be reassessed in full.
That new public consultation is now underway and open for comment.
