A new car hire facility has been earmarked for a derelict site next to Asda in Portadown.
And the development will include a storage and distribution enterprise too, which would also boast a trade counter open to the public to make purchases.
The car hire business would be operated by ‘Enterprise Rent-A-Car’, which operates right across Europe, with outlets at many of the main airports.
The storage and distribution business, meanwhile, has no name attached to the planning reports at this stage.
Proposals have been drawn up and lodged with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for consideration.
If successful, the business is expected to create in the region of six jobs.
The new enterprises would boast a floorspace of over 9,000 sq ft, with the vast majority – over 8,000 sq ft – earmarked for a storage and distribution warehouse.
The location is currently described as a “brownfield” site, bounded by Watson Street and Joseph Street. It is located 150 metres from the Asda store.
The proposals detail a new-build car hire facility, storage and distribution unit with associated trade counter, car parking, site accesses and all other associated site works.
The car hire facility would be built to the north end of the site and the storage and distribution unit to the south.
According to a planning statement, the proposal includes two access points; one entrance and exit from Joseph Street and a lorry exit only onto Watson Street. The entrance point splits into two internal access points for the respective units, to “allow for the appropriate delivery and servicing for the site”.
The car hire unit includes a total of 35 parking spaces, with most to be used for parking the cars which belong to the business.
The storage and distribution unit includes 20 car parking spaces and three lorry spaces for deliveries.
An “appropriate pedestrian access” is also being included as part of the proposal.
The planning statement also reveals the reasoning and requirements in selecting the chosen location.
It states: “The end user for the car hire facility has been confirmed as Enterprise, subject to a successful planning determination. Enterprise have identified this site due to the current availability and strategic location.
“The principle of a car hire facility at this site should be considered acceptable, as it is compatible with surrounding land uses. The current site is unsightly and vacant, with this proposal bringing forward an end use with a confirmed tenant, subject to planning approval.
“This subject site also has the required space to accommodate a car hire facility and the need for the extending parking facilities, as per the nature of the business.
“The principle of a storage and distribution unit, with ancillary trade counter, should also be considered acceptable as, again, will not prejudice the function of Portadown town centre or cause nuisance to nearby residential amenity.
“The servicing of the storage and distribution unit is segregated from the adjacent dwellings by the proposed building.
“The storage and distribution unit will include an ancillary trade counter open to the public for purchasing goods.
“The location allows for appropriate servicing of the site with delivery lorries, enough space to
allows for the storage of products/goods and also sufficient parking for members of the public. The site also benefits from surrounding infrastructure, particularly to the Northway/A3 for access and servicing arrangements.”
The application will now be advertised shortly.
