Proposals to build a new petrol filling station and supermarket in the Killicomaine area of Portadown are to be recommended for ‘refusal’ by planning officials.
That’s the opinion which will be presented to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s planning committee later this week.
And in presenting that recommendation, officials have cited six reasons why they feel that the application – by Moy-based Farad Enterprises – should not be allowed to proceed as it stands.
It was in May last year that Armagh I first revealed the plans as part of a major investment for the Killicomaine area of Portadown.
The new facilities were earmarked for a site specifically “52 metres north west of 48-50 Killycomain Road”, with the given address at 137 Killycomain Road.
The location – not far from the former JD Tipler’s bar, restaurant and off-licence – had previously been occupied by three houses, but these were demolished more than a decade ago.
It has been used by the builder of the Bachelors Avenue housing development for the storage of plant and building materials.
The applicant had brought forward a major scheme to benefit locals in an area which has grown significantly in recent years.
It was hoped to build a petrol filling station and supermarket-style convenience store, with a bulk fuels store and totem signage.
The petrol pumps – six in total – were proposed under a covered canopy and the new enterprise would have boasted a total of 36 parking spaces. Of these, three were disabled parking bays and five charging points for electric vehicles.
Bicycle parking was also included to the front of the retail outlet, with new landscaping and planting planned around the boundary.
The shop – including deli and hot food prep area – had floorspace of close to 4,000 sq ft, with staff facilities and office accommodation incorporated too.
A number of new jobs would have been created and the development accessed via the Killycomain Road, with a new right turn lane to be constructed.
According to an assessment form, traffic generation would “not be sufficiently large enough to have a detrimental impact in terms of noise and air quality”.
A noise impact assessment revealed that permission had been granted for this site in 2012 for five retail units, ATM and car park although this never materialised.
Current plans, in terms of activity and size, were described as “similar but with reduced retail space and the addition of petrol pumps”.
Planning officials, however, are not satisfied that the application meets various policy requirements.
They believe that it has “not been demonstrated that the proposal respects the opportunities and constraints of the specific site and its surroundings; it has not been demonstrated that there is no significant detrimental effect on amenity; it has not been demonstrated that there are satisfactory arrangements for access and effluent disposal and it has not been demonstrated that the proposal is in accordance with prevailing regional planning policy and policies, requirements and guidance contained within the Craigavon Area Plan 2010”.
They also say that “part of the site is on zoned housing land and the proposal is not for housing”.
Planners also say the development is at an ‘out of town centre’ location and it has “not been adequately demonstrated that there are no sequentially preferable sites within the proposal’s whole catchment and it has not been adequately demonstrated that there is a need for the amount of retail floorspace at this location”.
Additionally, it has “not been demonstrated that a direct access onto Killycomain Road will not prejudice road safety or significantly inconvenience the flow of traffic”, while officials claim the applicant has “failed to demonstrate there is an appropriate means of disposal of wastewater from the site”.
Finally, planners – who are asking councillors to endorse the decision – believe that it has “not been demonstrated that the associated impacts of the proposal in relation to noise, artificial lighting, contaminated lands, odour and air quality will not cause demonstrable harm to interests of acknowledged importance including the occupants of neighbouring dwellings”.
It will be up to councillors to decide whether or not to accept the recommendation going to Wednesday’s planning committee meeting.
Whatever that decision, the applicant will have the right to lodge an appeal if a decision to refuse is returned.
