Office plan for historic Derry factory

New plans have been put forward to convert an historic Derry building into offices. The former Robert Sinclair & Co shirt factory (pictured) at the junction of Abercorn Road and Wapping Lane has been derelict since the 1970s. It is located at the cityside end of the Craigavon Bridge and is one of the prominent buildings in the city. Last year, it was revealed that the current owners of the factory building, which was built in 1863, had applied for planning permission to convert the building into 88 apartments. At a public meeting to discuss the apartment plans, a number local residents highlighted their concern at the proposals. However, a new planning application has recently been submitted to convert the building into office accommodation. It is understood that the planning application for the apartment complex is still going through the planning system. However, it is believed that the building’s owners are now concentrating their focus on the plans for office accommodation. It has learned that a large company has been approached and shown interest in the building if the necessary planning approval is granted. The Abercorn Road building is owned by Derry-based Martin Construction. No one was available from the company to speak about its plans for the building. However, a design statement submitted with the recent planning application says that the ‘survival’ of the listed building will only be achieved through the development of a ‘sympathetic scheme for its appropriate re-use’. “This building has lain vacant for many years and the key to is survival and the upkeep on any listed building is to keep it in active use. “This means a use which is economically viable and may necessitate some degree of adaption to the building.” The design statement continues: “The re-use of this historic building as B1 business offices will ensure the survival of this listed building and bring it back into economically beneficial use. “The re-use of this building as offices will restore the building’s previous use as a key shirt factory within the city’s shirt-making industry. “The city has been fortunate in seeing a number of listed and non-listed shirt factories brought back into beneficial economic use. “This proposal will continue this trend and help to regenerate this heritage asset and the surrounding area.” The final decision on the planning applications for the building will be taken by representatives on Derry City and Strabane District Council.