Approval for 200 new houses in Dungannon

PLANNING approval has been granted for the building of more than 200 new homes on one of Dungannon’s most prominent greenfield sites.

Mid Ulster District Council has given the green light for the major development close to the Donaghmore Road, Greers Road and Quarry Lane in the town.

The site of the development is close to the Ann Street area of the town centre where it recently emerged that supermarket giant, Lidl, are also planning a major new store.

It is hoping to develop 4.5 acres in the area, which has remained empty for almost 40 years causing immense frustration to local people who bemoaned the lack of action to revitalise this historic part of Dungannon.

The applicant for the new homes is the Mallon family of Ann Street in the town.

The area has been seen as a key location for development during recent years, and was previously granted planning permission more than a decade ago.

In a report to last week’s meeting of Mid Ulster council’s planning committee, the local authority said that the ongoing developments at Ann Street would facilitate the residents of the development and help contribute to a quality residential development.

Following a report from the Department for Infrastructure, the council has determined that adequate parking provision is provided and that there is convenient access to public transport which incorporates traffic-calming measures.

It is required that, while there are adequate neighbourhood facilities nearby, there will be connection of footpaths to those surrounding the site to ease access to the town centre.

At the moment the site for the development remains undeveloped and in use as a car park off Greers Road.

The vast body of the area to be developed remains as grassland to the north, extending as far as Quarry Lane.

It is also close to the Dungannon Eoghan Ruadh hurling pitch, and there are a number of housing and other developments in the vicinity.