A new car hire facility is to be built close to the Asda store in Portadown.
Proposals for the development – which also includes a car wash – have been given the go-ahead by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
Supporting information submitted with the application reveals that the intended operator of the new car hire business will be Enterprise.
The location is described as a “brownfield site”, situated on “land bound by Watson Street to the west and Joseph Street to the north east, directly north of 21 Watson Street, Portadown, and 150m south west of Asda, 30 Joseph Street”.
The plans approved are for the construction of a car hire facility and parking, with site access and all other associated works.
The car hire building will provide two offices, together with kitchen and toilet facilities.
Attached to the southern gable end is a car wash area, open at both ends.
The plans include the provision of 34 car parking spaces with access from the northern end via a galvanised-framed sliding gate. The southern, western and northern boundaries will be defined by a 2.4-metre-high security fence.
Officers considering the proposals found that the development complies with planning policies.
However, a condition imposed states that no work may be carried out until a wastewater impact assessment confirms that a sewerage connection can be made, or that an alternative method of sewerage disposal is agreed in writing by the planning authority.
Officers, in their report, said the “application proposes the use of an area zoned as a development opportunity site for the erection of a car hire building with attached car wash area, parking area and fencing”.
They added: “As such, the proposal is compatible with surrounding land uses, given the site’s proximity to Asda filling station and supermarket, and Portadown town centre, which displays a mixture of land uses.
“The proposal returned no objections from statutory consultees in relation to noise or natural or built heritage. It will not create any emissions. DfI Roads have raised no objections in relation to access or any road problems that the proposal may create.”
The car hire building will offer floorspace of around 960 sq ft, with the car wash area around 600 sq ft.
Officers describe the sides and rear of the site as being adjacent to residential properties.
However, they add: “With respect to noise, and having regard to the fact that the council’s environmental health department – the competent authority in matters of noise assessment – did not raise any objection to the proposal, officers are of the opinion that noise impacts arising from the proposed development will not have an adverse impact on the amenity and enjoyment of the occupiers of the closest residential properties to the application site.”
Subject to a total of seven conditions, the applicant has now been granted approval to proceed.
