The largest private residential investment in the North West is set to be approved by Derry City and Strabane District Council planning committee next week.
The £100m investment by South Bank Square Ltd proposes a 780 home neighbourhood development at Ballyoan adjacent to Crescent Link and Clooney Road.
The outline planning application, which has been recommended for approval by council planning officers, comprises a mix of new homes including detached, semi-detached, townhouses, and apartments.
Approval is expected to be granted by councillors at a special meeting of the planning committee on Monday 25th March. According to the developer, this new development will create and sustain employment for 90 full time jobs each year, during the 10 years it is expected to take to complete the project.
If approved, a detailed application for the first phase of new homes is ready to be submitted shortly to allow construction to commence. The owner of South Bank Square, Seamus Gillan explained:
“We are delighted to have received a recommendation for approval from the City planners. This is a unique site and a significant development for the Derry City region that will deliver much needed quality family homes in a neighbourhood environment. We very much welcome the support we have received from the Council, local community, elected representatives and the significant progress that has been made to bring forward our development plans to this stage”
“If our application is approved we will take forward proposals for phase one of the development immediately, and we would hope to secure detailed permission in order to commence development on site later this year. In addition to the new homes, our masterplan includes some commercial space, significant play and recreation areas, a linear park and public amenity space. Throughout the process we have enjoyed very constructive and positive feedback from the council planners, statutory consultees, elected representatives and local residents. We very much welcome this support and we look forward to this new development being our first major investment in the City.”
It is understood that, if approved, this new development will also see significant improvements made to the Caw Roundabout and Gransha junctions, conditioned to be delivered throughout the duration of the project.
Mr Gillan continued:
“From our early consultations with the local community, the planners and local elected representatives we have known the importance of creating a master plan for a comprehensive and sustainable development at Ballyoan. We are very excited by this development and we are delighted to be creating a beautiful place to live, and contributing a new neighbourhood to the City that can also improve the lives of existing residents.”
Brian Kelly, Director of Turley, lead planner for South Bank Square Ltd, highlighted an increasing demand for quality homes, and welcomed the recommendation to approve the application:
“In recent years there have been few developments with the ability to develop housing of this scale and investment, and if approved this will be a welcome boost for the North West economy and for home-buyers seeking quality family homes in the City.”
“We are grateful for the effort from council planners and statutory agencies to bring this application to this point, and the support that it has received from local elected representatives.”