100 new jobs being ‘held up’ for Derry

A government department has been accused of ‘holding up’ 100 new jobs for Derry over an ongoing delay in issuing planning approval for a massive new retail store in the city.

The Home Bargains chain is seeking to create 100 new jobs with the opening a new outlet at a vacant unit at the junction of Buncrana Road and Strand Road which previously housed the Budget DIY store.

Plans for the development were first revealed by the Derry News in May last year.

The proposal would see alterations to the former ‘Budget’ store and the change of use of the building to allow for the sale of ‘convenience and comparison’ goods.

The plan would also see the opening of a garden centre within the building.

TJ Morris Ltd, which owns the Home Bargains chain, also wants to demolish the building which was previously occupied by Xtravision on the same site.

However, there has been a delay in planning approval being issued for the site, which has led to a government department being accused of placing the jobs at risk.

The comments came at a special meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Environment and Regeneration Committee at which senior figures from Transport NI met with elected members.

At the end of the meeting, Sinn Fein’s Tony Hassan directly addressed Conor Loughrey, the divisional manager for Transport NI’s Western Division, and asked: “Why are Roads Service holding up 100 jobs coming to the city?”

“Does anyone here know what I’m talking about, because this is a big issue?

“I was contacted by someone this morning who asked what was council doing about this, so I’m asking why it’s taking so long to assess this bit of road.

“What is Roads Service doing on this site, and how long is it going to take?”

Responding, Mr Loughrey said that he was not aware of the issue, but reassured Cllr Hassan that he would ‘chase up’ any concerns over a delay.

Above is an artist's impression of how the new store would look.