Consultation To Begin On First Council-Developed Business Park

by Gráinne Connolly

Mid Ulster District Council is proposing to develop the former Maghera High School site into a new business park. 

Plans for the County Derry site include creating up to 8 serviced sites, with qualifying businesses constructing their own purpose built facilities. 

The Council, who owns the land, has submitted a 'Proposal of Application Notice' (PAN), signalling its intention to apply for planning permission on the site after a period of 12 week community consultation takes place. 

Chair of the Council, Councillor Sean McPeake, has welcomed progress towards the creation of a mixed-use site, earmarked to address a gap in the availability of industrial land locally and to meet an identified demand from local businesses. 

“This is a strategically important site which will allow existing businesses to expand and new businesses to locate here, helping to sustain jobs and drive growth.

“The Council owns the land and is uniquely positioned to manage its development as a business park.

“This proposal is a milestone in the Council’s on-going commitment both to support investment in our economy and to invest directly in it, and a first for local government here”.

Community consultation on the proposals begins with drop-in information sessions on Wednesday 27 June 2018 in Maghera Leisure Centre from 12noon to 5pm followed by a public meeting at 5pm.

To view details of the Proposal of Application Notice for the former Maghera High School site visit www.midulstercouncil.org/magheraPAN.