Computer Generated Image of Proposed Development, showing the office building and manufacturing space to the rear
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council have accepted plans for a new fabrication, assembly, and research and development facility at Wattstown Business Park in Coleraine, creating 150 jobs and representing £10 million in investment.
The planning application for the Maine Surface Finishing facility, “associated offices and associated car parking, landscaping and ground work” and new foul waste water treatment plant installation was accepted by members at Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 23.
A council officer said construction would involve the erection of a single factory and assembly building over two phases.
They added: “The building is comprised of two elements, the office element which consists of three floors of accommodation and the manufacturing area which is located on ground floor only with a large internal void located above.”
“In addition, the proposal includes extensive parking provision and landscaping. The development allows further growth of the company, particularly in steel fabrication and assembly.
View of the proposed offices with the factory buildings to the rear.
“The site is located within the Coleraine Settlement Development Limit as defined Northern Area Plan 2016, on a site zoned for economic development.
“The nearest dwelling to the site is 60 metres away on the opposite side of the A26 dual carriageway, and a noise report identified that background noise is already elevated owing to the dual carriageway and the factory will not cause harm to local amenities.
“The car park will provide a total of 332 car spaces, plus additional HGV parking, will increase the number of employees in Coleraine by 150, and will represent an investment of £10 million which includes the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment.”
DUP councillor Mervyn Storey asked how close the development was to the nearby Coleraine Hospital.
The officer said the zoning extended “right up to the hospital boundary”.
“Invest NI own all that land, but the business zoning in our current plan extends up to there,” The officer explained. “Whether Invest NI have title to all of that I don’t know.”
PUP councillor Russell Watton said it was a “big site and ideal for development”.
Cllr Watton concluded: “It’s not near house and it’s not annoying anybody, but the main thing for me is that there will be local men and women getting jobs in it.”
“It’s only five minutes from their houses and the 330 parking spaces indicates to me that there will be a lot of employment in it.”