The demolition of a house and the construction of a new block of 32 apartments would create a “landmark building” in Newry city, planning officials have been told.
Proposals have been drawn up to remove a prominent house on lands at 56 Downshire Road.
The intention is to build a new stylish and modern block of apartments.
Newry-based McGuinness Developments Ltd is behind the plans, which have now been submitted to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
The application also details parking, with a total of 21 spaces planned, as well as landscaping, open space and associated site works.
According to a supporting statement, the earmarked site is in a predominately commercial area, just outside Newry City Centre, on a key arterial route.
It adds: “It is situated at the end of a key stretch of Downshire Road, as the City Centre boundary is phasing out, and as one travels outwards along the arterial route the site represents a natural stop to development because of the position of Newry Hockey Club just north of the application site, at a location where the road changes direction.
“This setting presents an opportunity to create a landmark development that will ‘bookend’ the stretch of road between New Street and Newry Hockey Club.
“The creation of a landmark building will result in a degree of cohesion between Newry Police Station, the adjacent offices, the Tesco store, the apartments adjacent to Tesco (Glin Ree Court), new apartments under construction opposite Glin Ree Court and the BT building on Downshire Road.
“While development has not materialised on the approved hotel site, given the scale of the approved development it is inevitable that any new development on that site will have a significant profile on the frontage.”
In terms of appearance, the statement says the design has sought to “reinforce and evolve local characteristics that are considered positive and attractive, avoiding replicating features from unsightly developments”.
It continues: “The design of the apartment buildings, the relationship between them, their relationship to streets and the spaces created around them will all strongly and positively influence the character of the overall site and its surroundings, and will contribute significantly to the quality and identity of the new residential environment.”
The proposals will now be advertised shortly.
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