Desmond planstorpedoed again

The DUP is seeking an urgent meeting with the Planning Minister Mark H. Durkan after his Department once again deflated hopes that the long derelict Desmond and Sons factory in Drumahoe would be brought into use through a proposed new complex incorporating an ice rink, cinema, bowling alley, soccer dome, restaurants, retail units and health care facility.
By Kevin Mullan
Published 4th Oct 2014, 10:28 BST
DRUMAHOE EYESORE!. . . .Andy Russell, chair, Drumahoe Residents Association pictured at the gates of the derelict former Desmonds Factory site at Drumahoe yesterday afternoon. INLS4014MC001DRUMAHOE EYESORE!. . . .Andy Russell, chair, Drumahoe Residents Association pictured at the gates of the derelict former Desmonds Factory site at Drumahoe yesterday afternoon. INLS4014MC001
DRUMAHOE EYESORE!. . . .Andy Russell, chair, Drumahoe Residents Association pictured at the gates of the derelict former Desmonds Factory site at Drumahoe yesterday afternoon. INLS4014MC001

Residents and members of the local community assocation were made aware last week that D&A Properties’ exciting plans for the derelict factory site have been once again knocked back, following a Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) hearing earlier this year.

Andrew Russell, of the Drumahoe Community Association, who received a letter dated September 24 informing him of the refusal, said: “It’s still an eyesore, it’s still vacant, it’s a general danger.

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“It’s a site that must be developed and preferably developed so that it’s brought into community use for the local area. The site is actually a danger. There are exposed holes and manhole covers.

An artist's impression of the proposed ice rink proposal for Drumahoe, which now appears dead-in-the-water.An artist's impression of the proposed ice rink proposal for Drumahoe, which now appears dead-in-the-water.
An artist's impression of the proposed ice rink proposal for Drumahoe, which now appears dead-in-the-water.

“The owner has secured it as best they can but there’s no stopping young people getting on site and someone could be hurt quite easily.”

Londonderry DUP Councillor on the new Derry and Strabane District Council, Hilary McClintock, said she’s seeking a meeting with the Minister to discuss the future of the site.

“This is very disappointing as far as the community is concerned. People in Drumahoe have been demanding that something be down about this site for years and remember this wasn’t just a retail or housing development there were plans for a soccer dome and other elements.

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“The DUP will be seeking a meeting with the Mark H. Durkan to discuss this as soon as possible.”

Back in December 2012, former Environment Minister Alex Attwood said he would be refusing the D&A Properties Ltd. proposal because “there is an impact on other retail centres along with traffic impact issues.”

Planners were also unhappy with “a lack of information in terms of natural heritage concerns and impact on the character of the area.”

Earlier this year D&A Properties, a company used by developer David Gilmour, presented its case to the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC).

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The PAC subsequently submitted a report on the matter to the DoE, on September 9.

But on September 24, the DoE reiterated its decision to refuse planning permission for the development.

In a letter, which was received by Mr Russell and other residents, the DoE’s planning divison wrote: “In arriving at this decision the Department took into account all relevant planning matters: a) Planning policies; b) The development plan; c) Relevant material factors; and d) Representations submitted from all interested parties including consultation with the Local Council.”

Related topics:Mark H. Durkan