Plans to build a new multi-million pound, state-of-the-art train station in Lurgan – together with increased park and ride facilities – have been given the go-ahead.
ABC Council’s planning committee signalled full steam ahead for Northern Ireland’s newest transport ‘hub’ when it met on Wednesday, when officials from Translink and the agent, Gravis Planning, attended to answer any questions.
The application had been described as falling within the ‘major’ category of development and was given the thumbs-up despite 11 objections lodged.
The existing train station would be demolished, along with the Musgrave Marketplace building – currently home to the Let’s Go Padel courts, which only opened in March – and the neighbouring property at 105 William Street.
The new facility includes two two-storey station buildings on either side of the tracks, along with canopy-covered platforms and linked by a pedestrian footbridge, with rail tracks and increased car parking.
Planning manager Kyle Elder, in bringing a report to committee, indicated objections, which included issues around congestion, safety, anti-social behaviour and noise and air pollution, had been considered before the recommendation to approve was presented.
He said with regards to the principle of development, having regards to the site’s location within settlement limits and its “established transport function, together with this compatibility with the surrounding area”, it was considered “acceptable in the context of the Craigavon Area Plan 2010” and other relevant policies.
Mr Elder advised: “The scale, mass and form and external finishes are all considered acceptable. The proposal will create an attractive landmark building that reflects its transport function, whilst integrating appropriately within the surrounding townscape. The public realm and landscaping works, including the car parks, are also considered to be acceptable.”
The planning manager said the “impact on amenity has been fully considered with particular regards to noise, air quality and floodlighting”, with design statements and assessments having been provided alongside the application.
Considering these – along with the consultation response from environmental health – officers were “satisfied that the proposal would not result in any unacceptable impact on the amenity of neighbouring residents”.
In terms of parking, Mr Elder said the existing station provides 124 spaces within the ‘northern’ park and ride and a further 20 within the ‘southern’ car park.
“The proposal will enhance the park and ride facility by providing 180 spaces within the new main car park, together with a further 30 spaces adjacent to the replacement station building, resulting in a total of 210 spaces,” he said. “New cycle stores, motorcycle parking, bus facilities, and dedicated pedestrian routes are also proposed throughout the site.
“The main park and ride facility will be accessed via William Street using the existing right hand turning lane arrangement, while there’s a new access proposed on to Brownlow Terrace which will function as the exit from the new car park.”
DfI Roads, he said, had been consulted and “raised no objections to the parking arrangement”.
NI Water, however, did have concerns surrounding ‘capacity issues’ in relation to sewage which “establishes significant risks of detrimental effect to the environment and detrimental impact on existing properties”.
But said Mr Elder: “Confirmation is being provided from the agent that an engineering solution for the disposal of wastewater can be found. Two solutions have been identified. One involves works on the application site and the other involves works at North Street.”
A ‘negative’ condition, in recommending approval, will therefore prohibit any development work starting until a “wastewater impact assessment confirms that a sewage connection can be made or alternative provision for disposal of sewage is made and this is submitted to – and agreed in writing with – the planning authority”.
A range of other assessments – including ecological and archaeological impact – were also studied by the “relevant competent authorities” who had “raised no objections”, while “appropriate conditions have been included where necessary”.
The demolition of the Musgrave Marketplace building – home to the Padel Courts, which only opened in March and are described as a ‘meanwhile use’ in the body of the report – will make way for the new park and ride facility to the south of the site.
Access will be from William Street – where there would be an area to allow buses to pick up passengers – and exit onto Brownlow Terrace.
Granted speaking rights, a representative of the agent, Gravis Planning, said Translink had worked closely with consultees and the council to address various matters, and it had been concluded that the development was “acceptable and that any potential impacts can be appropriately mitigated and managed through planning conditions”.
She added: “The proposal will deliver significant public benefits. It represents a major investment in sustainable transport infrastructure in Lurgan, providing a modern, safe, attractive and accessible transport hub that will enhance passenger experience, improve accessibility for all users, strengthen walking and cycling connections, deliver environmental and public realm improvements, encourage sustainable travel and improve connectivity within the town and the wider region.”
While canopy cover was proposed on the platforms, Sinn Fein Councillor Kevin Savage said indoor standing room within Lurgan Train Station was currently “very limited for commuters in inclement weather” and enquired what capacity the new station might offer.
Mr Elder responded: “The building that would be on the Belfast line is slightly larger than the one heading towards Portaaown and I think, from memory, it said that there’s maybe seating for about 50 people in that building and it could accommodate about 100 people in the waiting area.”
Party colleague Councillor Paul Duffy sought assurances around the issue of potential disruption to travel and to residents in the area.
One of the Translink team responded: “There’ll obviously be some disruption during the construction phase. We’ll be trying to keep that to a minimum. Certainly from a train operation point of view, I think Translink are very keen to ensure very little disruption to services, but again, there will be, inevitably, some disturbance during construction, like you get with all development schemes during construction.
“There will be a construction management plan in place to ensure that’s kept a minimum for residents who are nearby and, obviously, there are conditions in relation to that as well.”
Councillor Savage enquired if the works would mean line closures in Lurgan and whether or not commuters would have to use other stations during that time.
Translink advised: “The only anticipated line closures would be during the bridge lift, effectively, and a bit of demolition work, so one weekend is the current anticipated impact on normal line operation.”
It was DUP Councillor Kyle Moutray who asked questions around congestion and the “somewhat infamous” level crossing gates in Lurgan, asking if there was “any further actions” planned to improve the situation, given the sudden increase in parking in an area that was “already problematic”.
Translink said it was aware of issues “with the barrier down times” at the moment and “severe backlogs at rush hour times”.
But an official added: “The traffic impact assessment has been done and been reviewed by DfI roads and the impact of the additional parking spaces has seemed to be minimal. It does help to formalise the parking arrangements around that area.
“There’s a lot of parking in side streets, and things, we hope, will therefore move into the car perks, so maybe not necessarily increasing the amount of traffic on the road.
“There is also another separate project looking at possible enhancements to the level crossing and the cycle operations down there as well.”
Satisfied that questions had been suitably answered, Councillor Kevin Savage proposed – and Councillor Kyle Moutray seconded – that the application be approved.
“I think this is a welcome application,” said Councillor Savage. “Other stations have had refits in recent years. As a regular user of Lurgan train station for the best part of 35 years, it has seen better times. It is in a poor condition and it’s not fit for purpose in terms of commuter numbers, which have substantially increased, including the number of school children now attending schools in Lisburn and Belfast.
“Some mornings, there’s hundreds of people on the platform and the heavens are opening, so we need a better experience for those commuters.
“There’s issues raised around the level crossing – and that has been a perennial issue in Lurgan – but this planning application is not in relation to and does not have any effect on that. There is no additional trains or anything like that.
“I think the proposal meets all the planning policies and I think it will improve the computer experience.
“Portadown has had a refit in recent years and the Grand Central Station in Belfast which, I think, is a fantastic building, and it has increased passenger numbers down to Belfast, so I very much welcome this plan application.”
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