This planning decision is significantly positive for Downpatrick following the disastrous flooding in the town and has been taken after the applicant, Celpark Ltd, worked closely with local elected representatives, the local community and stakeholders, before lodging the formal planning application with the council, to ensure local community alignment with the plans.

Welcoming the news of the granting of the planning permission, a Celpark spokesperson said: “We warmly welcome the decision by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to approve our planning.

“We are in jubilant mood as we view the approval as an opportunity to establish a major landmark shopping destination for both the local Downpatrick and wider communities.”

An Asda spokesperson highlighted the importance of the granting of the application for the replacement store.

“In the months since the closure of our Downpatrick store as a result of the devastating flooding, we’ve seen first-hand how much of a key role Asda plays in the local community. Whilst we are pleased that the temporary store is serving the town and the wider area, a long-term solution is required,” they said.

“That’s why we’re excited to get planning permission for a new permanent store which will bring the full range of Asda groceries and fresh foods, including the Exceptional and Just Essentials by Asda lines as well as George clothing back to Downpatrick, including a new petrol filling station attached to the store.”

The redevelopment, with 9,000 sq m of floor space, will include an Asda superstore, together with the introduction of a new petrol filling station and shop, as well as three additional non-food retail units with car parking and a service yard. It is expected that this will bring a much-needed retail boost to the Downpatrick area, enhancing its retail landscape and attracting footfall due to the increased convenience and amenities it will provide for the town.

The post Planning permission granted for Ballydugan Retail Park development first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The £22m proposal for investment in Downpatrick includes plans to replace the existing Asda store and three non-food retail units, which were severely damaged by flooding last year.

The plans also provide for a petrol filling station with shop, a service yard and around 465 free car parking spaces that will include EV charging points.
Celpark Limited is encouraging local people, elected representatives and other interested parties to attend the drop-in event which is part of a 12-week community consultation ahead of submitting a planning application to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.

The event will provide those attending with an opportunity to review the plans for the proposed replacement store and non-food retail units, car parking and petrol station and with a platform to provide feedback.A spokesperson, at Celpark Limited, said: “We are committed to giving the local and wider community a landmark shopping destination that will help renew and revitalise Downpatrick town centre after last year’s devastating floods.

“The first step on this journey is to take on board the views of local people as part of the planning process and this event is important to the project. The outcome of community engagement with local residents and liaison with stakeholders is pivotal to our plans for Ballydugan Retail Park going forward.”

Following the 12-week consultation, a Pre-Application Community Consultation Report summarising all feedback received, and Celpark’s response to how any feedback will be incorporated, will be detailed ahead of the final proposals for the scheme. The report will be submitted as part of the planning application to council.

The proposals will include a multimillion-pound engineering solution which will be designed using reinforced concrete foundations and slabs supported on new piles and pile caps. This type of piled foundation solution is not a stone load transfer platform (as per the original foundations) and is a tried and tested engineering solution used in areas where the ground conditions are poor.

‘LONG-TERM SOLUTION REQUIRED’

Anticipated building works are due to commence in October 2024 subject to planning consent from the council. Whilst a slight change to the layout of the retail park is being proposed, the Asda store will be located closer to the McDonald’s unit and the non-food retail units will be situated adjacent to the undamaged non-food retail units to the north-west of the site. Access to the retail park will remain unchanged.

An Asda spokesperson said: “In the months since the closure of our Downpatrick store as a result of the devastating flooding, we’ve seen first-hand how much of a key role Asda plays in the local community.

“Whilst we are pleased that the temporary store is now up and running, a long-term solution is required. That’s why we’re excited to embark on the planning process for a new permanent store which will bring the full range of Asda services back to Downpatrick, including provision for a new fuel station attached to the store.”

Following the community consultation and formal planning process, if planning permission is granted it is envisaged that the replacement Asda store will open in early 2026. For further information on the plans, please email feedback@chambrepa.com or visit www.ballyduganconsultation.com

The post Public exhibition for Ballydugan Retail Park ahead of 12-week consultation process first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Following severe flooding in the County Down town at the end of October last year, the Asda store was forced to close after structural damage to the building was discovered in the days after.

As store owners and staff were coming to terms and assessing the damage inflicted by the flooding caused by heavy rainfall, Asda revealed its store in the town had been significantly impacted.

The retailer had previously communicated its plans to open a temporary store in the Downpatrick store car park back in December, and have now announced this store will open on Thursday 25^th January at 1pm.

Thanking their customers, colleagues, and suppliers for their patience, flexibility, and support, Store Manager Ciara Smyth said all the staff were excited to welcome everyone back.

WELCOME THE COMMUNITY

“We are pleased to announce that it is our intention to open the temporary store on Thursday 25^th January 2024 at 1pm. I want to thank all of our customers, colleagues and suppliers for all their patience, flexibility, and support during this time,” said Ciara.

“I’m proud that throughout this period of disruption, we’ve been able to redeploy all of our colleagues across other local stores whilst we have worked through a solution. Now I’m delighted that we can welcome all our colleagues back together to work as one team again in Downpatrick.

“The hard work begins now as we prepare to get the temporary store ready for all our customers and we are excited to welcome back the local community into the store from the 25^th January.”

The supermarket continued to support its local community since the store closed by operating a click and collect service from its Portadown store and increased the number of home delivery slots available in the local area, while a community bus service was made available to transport customers from Downpatrick to the Portadown store daily until 1^st January 2024.

The post Asda Downpatrick makes final preparations ahead of opening temporary store first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.