Plans to transform a former high school in Maghera into a new business park have taken a major leap forward.

Outline planning permission has been granted for the project, which will see up to seven serviced sites built, with qualifying businesses constructing their own purpose-built facilities ranging in size from 4,000 sq ft to 20,000 sq ft.

This project will address a gap in the availability of land locally for light industrial use and meet an identified demand from local businesses.

Mid Ulster District Council's Planning Committee agreed to approve the application yesterday evening, 04 February, subject to a series of conditions which will protect the area's natural heritage and address other issues including roads infrastructure, drainage and flooding.

-- Advertisement --

A condition attached to the permission also ensures that identified trees and hedgerows must be retained, while a Tree Preservation Order, also agreed by the Committee, will protect 65 individual and/or groups of trees, with a further 675 new trees to be planted as part of the proposed scheme.

While surveys have found no evidence of otters, badger setts or bat roosts on the site, planning permission is conditional on a plan being submitted to show bat friendly lighting on boundary vegetation and badger protection zones being established.

Other conditions include a programme of archaeological works, an invasive species management plan to ensure Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam are controlled and the demonstration of adequate road access and parking arrangements by the purchasers of site plots in the business park.

(CM/MH)