Further twist in Desmonds saga as Minister halts application
Thursday, 11 September 2008
by Stephen McKiernan.
The much-disputed development planned for the former Desmonds factory site on Omagh's Kevlin Road has been delayed until Environment Minister, Sammy Wilson, has looked into the matter personally.
The controversial development, to build a four storey, 111-dwelling and retail unit on the site, was given the green light by the planning service last week. That was accepted by Omagh District Council's planning service committee on a majority vote, with Sinn Fein and the SDLP voting in favour, while the Unionist groupings were against.
However, a letter subsequently received by West Tyrone DUP MLA., Tom Buchanan, from the office of divisional planning manager, Gerry Hogg, states: "Ministerial correspondence has now been received on this application. In accordance with your request the issuing of any decision on this application will be held pending the outcome of the ministerial correspondence."
It is thought Mr Wilson has halted any development of the currently dormant site until the concerns of nearby residents have been further addressed.
The Kevlin Road Residents' Association, who oppose the large scale development, said the minister has not as yet directly informed the group of the latest twist.
However, local DUP representatives - Mr Wilson's party colleagues - have said that the development has been halted.
Freeze
Ross Hussey, secretary of the Kevlin Road Residents' Association, and UUP councillor, said although no official confirmation had been received regarding the freeze on development, he was happy the issue was being talked about.
“I'm delighted that the Department of Environment (DOE) has had a look at it [the site]. We still have to receive official confirmation from anybody at DOE, but we have been made aware Sammy Wilson has become involved.
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We wrote to Mr Wilson before the application was passed and I also believe Tom Buchanan spoke to him about it. Obviously, he has the ability to bring the matter to the minister in person.
“I'm delighted that it's got this far. I do hope, if nothing else, this gives the opportunity for discussion between the developer and the residents, something that has yet to happen. Maybe the minister can facilitate this. Our offer to meet with the developer still stands, as it has done from day one.
“We are not against developing the site, we just want something that will fit in with Festival Park and Cannondale, and this development, as it is, will not."
Mr Buchanan said the written confirmation from the office of divisional planning service manager, Gerry Hogg, proved the development has been delayed.
Intervention
“Following my intervention to the Minister of the Environment, Mr Sammy Wilson, MP MLA, regarding the approval of the former Desmonds site, I have been advised by Planning Service that in accordance with my request to them, they have delayed issuing the approval papers for this development," said Mr Buchanan.
“I welcome the move by Planning Service to delay the issuing of the decision on this application, until the minister has looked in detail into this case. "I will continue to lobby the minister regarding this decision, in an effort to get it overturned and to get a more acceptable development approved for the site. The approval of this site raises many concerns that have not been adequately addressed by Planning Service. I have serious issues with the overall size of the development as it is very much out of character with the surrounding area and will have a detrimental impact on the local amenities.
“I urge the minister to take these issues on board in his deliberations on this matter and I look forward to having further discussions with him to highlight my concerns," added Mr Buchanan.
DOE confirmed the delay in the application.
A spokesperson for the department said: "A number of local Omagh councillors have written to the Minister requesting that he review Planning Service's recommendation to approve the application. No decision will issue on the application until the Minister has considered the correspondence."
When contacted on Wednesday morning the local businessman behind the proposed development, Dr Brendan McDonald, owner of Galbally properties, said he was unable to give any details on the matter, having been out of the country.
