Environment Minister Alex Attwood has granted planning permission to regenerate the former Scotts Mill site at Mountjoy Road, Omagh.

The £25 million investment will see a new 6400 sq metre food supermarket, petrol filling station and onsite parking at the former mill site.

Minister Attwood said: "This is a boost for Omagh. The development of the new food store will sustain and enhance Omagh town centre. A more vibrant town centre

will provide increased shopping opportunities that will be welcomed by shoppers, traders and visitors.

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"Revitalising this currently vacant mill site will also create construction jobs in the short term, other jobs in the longer term. As Environment Minister I not only

want to protect the environment, but also do everything I can to create jobs and develop the economy.

"I am determined to make decisions swiftly with all planning applications under consideration in my Department and particularly decisions where job opportunities

are at stake. However this is only after giving careful consideration to the individual merits of each case.

"I have said that as future planning policy develops, it needs to be reconfigured to favour our town centres. Retail opportunities in city and town centres, helping

town centres trade through difficult times and recognising the impact of out of town retail, needs to be part of the new story of retail planning in Northern Ireland."

(CD)