Crescent Link plan unveiled

The ambitious proposals (pictured) include provision for a Sainsbury's superstore, a petrol station, a six screen cinema, a Premier Inn Hotel, several multistorey office blocks, a three storey healthcare facility, residential property, 769 parking spaces and other retail outlets.

Full details of the plan have now been lodged with the Planning Service in Derry.

Applicant GSB Guernsey Trading Limited, which is part of the Orana Group, proposes to site the new developments on vacant land adjacent to Lisneal College.

The proposals for the 56 acre site involve two applications - one for a Sainsbury's store and a petrol station (with the potential to create 500 full and part time jobs) and a second for a 'mixed use' development (to create 800 full and part time jobs with the potential to rise to 1,600).

Entry to the proposed development will be via the Kilfennan Link Road roundabout, near the current Costcutter store.

As part of their 'mixed use' masterplan submission, a statement from the applicants reveals that the proposal was designed to "mimic the most successful of the diverse schemes" examined throughout Europe and the USA.

"After much debate and consideration, the development now proposed follows the well tested ethos of 'giving the customers what they want'."

The statement adds: "The masterplan, in combination with the recent Sainsburys application on the site, will reinforce the area's position as a strategic gateway for Londonderry and act as a catalyst for future growth through the provision of jobs, investment and additional spin-offs."

The Orana Group also revealed recently that it has similar multimillion pound plans for both Bridgend and Strabane.