Northern Ireland Environment Minister Edwin Poots has just announced the approval of plans that will help regenerate the heart of Dungannon’s town centre.

The approved plans are for the construction of 12 new retail units, a kiosk, café and 84 apartments, and will see an investment of around £20million being injected into a neglected part of the town centre.

Making the announcement, Minister Poots said: "This welcome investment is expected to provide 65 construction jobs, and on completion, will secure approximately 150 permanent retail jobs.

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"The proposed development at Anne Street also includes much needed housing in the town, which will be of a high quality sustainable design that is sympathetic to the architecture in the immediate vicinity."

The Department for Social Development released lands to the Department for Regional Development for the purpose of providing access to the site.

Minister Poots continued: "I wish to thank these Departments for helping to bring this scheme into being.

"This sort of inter-departmental working is essential in enabling such schemes during these economic times."

Dungannon's Mayor, Robert Mulligan, added: "The planning approval of this site will initiate much needed investment, and help rejuvenate the centre of Dungannon."

(NS/BMcC)