New Holland dealership Burkes of Cornascriebe submits plans for new tractor showroom and facilities
Co Armagh farm machinery dealership Burkes of Cornascriebe have lodged plans for the construction of a new workshop and showroom.
The planning application also seeks to demolish the business’ current premises, stating that the proposals are deemed to be essential for the future viability of the business.
The dealership, at 151 Markethill Road, Cornascriebe – south of Portadown – lodged the application on July 3, and the plans are currently at consultation stage with statutory bodies, including Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council’s Environmental Health Department, DfI Roads, DfI Rivers, NI Water, Shared Environmental Services, and the NI Environment Agency.
In a Planning Supporting Statement prepared on behalf of the applicant, planning and engineering consultancy firm 2PLAN NI wrote: “Burkes of Cornascriebe is currently a fully franchised New Holland dealership, offering agricultural machinery, tractors and spare parts.
“Specialising in the sale of new and used New Holland tractors, light industrial plant and equipment, while also servicing agricultural machinery. In conjunction with the agricultural machinery, the business supplies essential items to the broader rural community, such as animal feeds, tools, workwear, and other related items.
“The business now trades as Burkes of Cornascriebe (2014) Ltd with the support of the family and is preparing for the next generation of service.
“The proposed scheme is critical to maintain the dealership’s operational viability and contractual standing.
“Currently, the business is operating at maximum capacity and faces a significant risk of losing its franchise agreement with New Holland, due to a failure to meet mandatory dealer standards during recent audits.
“The facility currently lacks the necessary infrastructure to comply with brand requirements, specifically regarding the provision of adequate training, meeting and staff welfare facilities.
“Furthermore, the dealership is failing to meet the required technician headcount threshold, an issue that cannot be rectified within the current buildings due to the severe space constraints in the workshop and support areas.
“Official correspondence from New Holland’s corporate headquarters confirms that the current facility is no longer fit for purpose as a modern agricultural depot, when compared to the other existing sites in their network.
“The premises is both a hub and essential supplies premises for the farming community.
“The proposal seeks to erect 3,301m2 of floor space in the form of a replacement development.
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“It is intended to demolish the existing buildings and construct a new two-storey building which will operate as a new tractor showroom and workshop on the application site.
“The ground floor of the new main building will contain a number of storage areas, a large showroom and retail/display area, offices, service changing area and workshop space. The first-floor level will comprise of a large storeroom, offices, a boardroom, two staff kitchen spaces, and a seated waiting area.
“Also included within the proposal is an additional ancillary storage shed, an external office building, a new vehicle parking area comprising of customer, staff car parking and New Holland vehicle display areas, along with landscaping, infrastructure and other associated works.
“The proposed development seeks to consolidate all business operations into a single, purpose-built, one-site facility offering a substantial improvement over the existing fragmented arrangement, which is currently spread across three neighbouring sites.”