A busy Portadown filling station has requested approval for an extension to their floorspace, removal of an existing car wash and increased parking capacity.
The BP filling station on Bridge Street has sought approval from Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for construction of an extension to their existing Spar convenience store floor space.
The application – submitted in the name of Dean Gartland of Curries Bridge Ltd – proposes the development of an extension to the right side of the existing building that would add a total of 72 sqm of retail floorspace.
An existing toilet to the rear of the premises would be removed to provide the additional retail space and the “lobby-style” entryway to the property would be moved forward in line with the existing forecourt-facing walls and windows.
The extension – if approved – would benefit from an overhead “roof lantern” allowing natural light into the space.
Permission is also sought for the removal of the existing car wash which sits to the far left of the forecourt.
Once removed, three additional parking spaces would be provided in its place – bringing the total available parking spaces to 28.
An accompanying Transport Assessment form – prepared by Lisbane Consultants – does indicate that in accordance with published standards the requirement is one space per 14sqm of gross floor area and with the overall gross floor area extending to 352sqm and 62sqm storage, the site would require a total of 30 parking spaces.
In response to the total parking provision being two short, the Transport Assessment explains that there is an “agreement” with Portadown Rugby Club to allow for an overspill of cars from the site to park within its curtilage… which can accommodate staff parking.
The application is due to be advertised shortly.
