Drumahoe leisure, health and retail site assessed

A planning application to build an ice rink, cinema, bowling alley, soccer dome, restaurants, retail units and a health care facility at the

now derelict Desmonds site is currently before the planners.

On Tuesday a technical summary of an environmental statement - prepared by Michael Burroughs Associates - was submitted to Derry City Council's Planning Committee.

The statement forms part of a D&A Properties planning application for the major mixed-use regeneration development at Drumahoe and includes exact specifications of what will be built should the scheme go ahead.

It emerges the new development will include an ice rink (3,265square metres), a 14 lane bowling alley (1,083 square metres), three restaurant/cafe units (totalling 862sqaure metres gross), a caf/bar (100square metres), an eight pitch soccer dome (7143square metres), a six screen cinema (2706square metres), a health centre (1,067square metres), a food superstore (7,845 square metres), two non-food retail units (955square metres gross) and a petrol filling station (118square metres).

The summary acknowledges the site was originally zoned for industrial use but states: "It constitutes a significant investment that will provide a considerable number of jobs in a range of sectors during the construction phase and through its day-to-day running, maintenance and servicing.

"Employment opportunities will exist for a variety of skill levels. It is undoubtedly a redevelopment opportunity and it is also a mixed-use development with job creation potential."

The document also describes the development as "a specific regeneration initiative designed to meet this area's employment, because the proposal site, in its current form, unquestionably harms the character of Drumahoe Road" and that "significant local benefits will be provided by the proposal including employment, recreation, leisure, retailing and healthcare to the local population" and that it will transform a site which at present "unquestionably harms the character of Drumahoe Road."

For these reasons the summary finds the application satisfies a number of planning regulations pertaining to the alternative use of land zoned for industrial use.

A range of impact assessments have also been carried out to gauge how the development will affect Drumahoe village.

An Ecological Impact Assessment considered the site's ecological features including neighbouring fish, bat and otter habitats and it was found impacts were considered to range from low to moderate.

An Air Quality Assessment by Atkins found the increase in traffic as a result of the development will have a slight negative impact on air quality but the expected impact is considered to be minor.

A Noise Impact Assessment concludes that with suitable mitigation measures in place noise should not be considered a constraint to the development of this site.

A Contaminated Land Assessment identified a number of potential sources of contamination, including made ground and electrical sub-stations and a further assessment is planned.

And a Transport Assessment looking at the impact on the local highway infrastructure; its accessibility by public transport; the level of facilities provided at the site for all users; and its impact on road safety was also carried out.

Amongst the Transport Assessment's findings was that Altnagelvin Roundabout in Londonderry is predicted to experience queuing and delays without the addition of development traffic.

The report found that once development traffic is added to the network the junction performance deteriorates further.

As a result the developer undertakes to liaise directly with Roads Service to ascertain if there are any current proposals to upgrade the junction.