Council set to decide future of a new apartment complex planned for Derry
Derry’s council is to be asked to decide the future of a new apartment complex planned for one of the city’s landmark development sites.
The Derry News revealed in January last year that a developer was seeking to build 44 new flats at the site of the former Hamilton shirt factory on John Street.
The complex would comprise of 24 two-bedroom flats and 20 one-bedroom apartments.
The developer seeking approval for the proposal is Derry-based Elagh Developments Ltd.
In 2012, the former shirt factory was demolished after the collapse of an internal wall prompted fears over the risk the building posed to public safety.
There has been no movement at the site since the plans for the new apartments were first lodged with the local planning authority, Derry City and Strabane District Council, in December 2015.
The Derry News has learned that concerns were raised by the Department for Communities (DfC) Historic Environment Division (HED), over the plans, who said the proposal ‘failed to satisfy’ policy requirements, and that the development would have an ‘adverse impact’ on nearby listed buildings.
However, a spokesperson for the council told the Derry News that the applicant had now lodged ‘amended’ plans in relation to the development.
The council spokesperson added that the council also conducted ‘consultations’ over the plans, to which it received ‘mixed responses’.
“An outline planning application, for the proposed residential development of 44 apartments with associated car parking at 44-52 John Street, was submitted to the Council’s Planning Department on December 23, 2015,” the spokesperson said.
“Consultations were undertaken and neighbouring properties were notified regarding the proposed building.
“Several issues have required further consideration and amended drawings have been received, particularly regarding the design and scale of the building in relation to nearby Listed Buildings and the Historic City Conservation Area.
“The general public were also recently invited to submit their comments on the design, through the Council’s IMPROVE project for enhanced public involvement.
“Comments received showed mixed opinions.”
“The amended proposals are now under consideration with ongoing negotiations with key consultation bodies.”
The spokesperson added: “Once these aspects have been addressed, the application will be presented to a meeting of the Council’s Planning Committee in the coming months.”