Mallon approves major heritage led mixed use regeneration scheme in Upperlands, Maghera

Following consideration of the independent report from the PAC, in respect of the hearing held in November 2021, Department for Infrastructure Minister Nicola Mallon has announced planning permission for a heritage led regeneration scheme in Upperlands, Maghera.

DfI Minister Nichola Mallon

The application by JHT (Upperlands) Ltd proposes a mix of residential development, leisure and recreational uses and community facilities including museum / exhibition space and works to Listed Buildings as well as the retention of the existing employment use relocated to a refurbished and extended listed building.  The development will create 66 residential units through the subdivision and refurbishment of listed and other buildings of heritage significance together with 144 new build units.

Nichola Mallon said:

“This will be an economic and social boost for the Upperlands area.  This development secures the preservation and future of the listed buildings and the traditional industrial heritage which is in the public interest.  The proposal as a whole will also bring significant environmental benefits including decontamination of the site, the management of the surrounding dams, river banks, woodland areas and areas of open space which will protect and enhance the ecological interests on site.”

 “The works to the dams are essential and of the utmost importance to enable the development to proceed and therefore the final decision will issue only when a Section 76 Planning Agreement with the applicant has been concluded.” 

Notes to editors: 

1. Article 31 of the Planning (NI) was applied to the outline application (H/2009/0264/O) on 23 July 2009.  Under the Planning (2011 Act) (Commencement No. 3) and (Transitional Provisions) Order (NI) 2015, the application is treated as an application to which Section 26 of the Planning Act (NI) 2011 applies and therefore fell to the Department for Infrastructure to determine.  On 18 June 2015, under Section 29(1) of the Planning Act (NI) 2011, the Department directed Mid Ulster Council to refer the full and listed building consent applications to them for determination. 
2. The applicants are JHT (Upperlands) Ltd.
3. The site is located on lands at former William Clark & Sons Ltd, Upperlands, Maghera.
4. The applications are as follows:

• H/2009/0264/O - Demolition of unlisted buildings to facilitate the heritage led regeneration (restoration and retention of listed mill buildings) of the former William Clark and Sons Linen Mill complex incorporating: residential development, leisure and recreational uses, community facilities including museum/exhibition space and other associated site works.        
• H/2009/0270/F - Works to listed buildings to include: the extension, and conversion of the former Art Deco Building into a new factory (extending to 4,030 sq metres); change of use and retention of 1a for car parking; change of use and retention of 14a as a communal space; change of use and refurbishment of buildings 3a and 13a to create 18 apartments; alterations and extension of 2 existing dwellings - buildings 2a and 21a; change of use, extension and refurbishment of buildings 4b, 4c, 4e and 25a for museum/exhibition space and other associated site works.
• H/2009/0271/LB - Works to listed buildings to include: the extension, and conversion of the former Art Deco Building into a new factory (extending to 4,030 sq metres); change of use and retention of 1a for car parking; change of use and retention of 14a as a communal space; change of use and refurbishment of buildings 3a and 13a to create 18 apartments; alterations and extension of 2 existing dwellings - buildings 2a and 21a; change of use, extension and refurbishment of buildings 4b, 4c, 4e and 25a for museum/exhibition space and other associated site works.

5. The Department received 8 letters of objection and 6 letters of representation in relation to the applications.
6. The applications were the subject of a hearing before the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) in November 2021 with the applicant and Council represented.  The PAC provided its independent report and recommendation to the Department on 27 January 2022 and recommended that planning permission be granted for all three applications, subject to conditions. The report will be available to view on the NI Planning Portal in the near future.
7. The application was dealt with by the Department of Infrastructure’s Strategic Planning Directorate.
8. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk 
9. The Executive Information Service operates and out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800 hours and 0800 hours Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays.  The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.   
10. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra and on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure.

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