Plans on view for Desmonds site

The Sentinel recently revealed details of the planning application to build an ice rink, cinema, bowling alley, soccer dome, restaurants, retail units and a health care facility at the now derelict Desmond's site.

It can also be revealed today that the Western Education and Library Board, which owns the former Faughan Valley school site, is proposing a mix of housing and community uses, including 78 dwellings - the outline application is for 33 two-storey semi-detached houses, 24 apartments and a community hall within the listed school building, as well as the provision of another 21 residential units elsewhere on the grounds.

Some land will be set aside for community facilities, but these will be largely "developer funded".

The Sentinel understands there will also be a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA), some additional car parking and children's play areas.

The public viewing event, to be held from 7pm to 9pm in Drumahoe Primary School tonight (Thursday) will allow residents to voice their views on both sets of plans.

There will also be presentations by the architect on the Desmonds site, at 8pm and again at 9pm.

The Western Education and Library Board have finalized their plans for the future development of the Faughan Valley school site.

Ahead of the event, a DCA spokesperson told residents: "The Community Association has been involved with them to try to secure the most acceptable outcome for the residents of the area we would like to gauge the acceptability or otherwise of the proposals so that we can indicate to the planning authorities our level of support for the development. You will have the opportunity to ask questions about these proposals and will be able to record your approval or disapproval of them."

Yesterday a technical summary of an environmental statement - prepared by Michael Burroughs Associates - was submitted to Derry City Council's Planning Committee on behalf of the proposed developers of the Desmond's site.

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.

The owner of the Desmond's land has already submitted a full planning application for the development of this site.

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".

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.

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.

Amongst the Transport Assessment's findings was that Altnagelvin Roundabout 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.