Facelift For Town Centre Eyesore
24/06/2009
Planners have finally given the go ahead for Bell Contracts to proceed with ambitious plans to totally transform Perry Street with the addition of new retail units and adjoining accommodation. Parts of the street have fallen into disrepair in recent years with more and more buildings lying derelict, leading to them being branded an eyesore, however hopes are high that the new development, which will involve numbers 4-36 of the street, will signal the beginning of the new era. Incorporated into the scheme are plans for the erection of 11 ground floor level retail units with 26 apartments over the above two and three floors, with an anticipated time scale for completion presently at around 18 months. Speaking to the Courier yesterday (Tuesday) Mr Desmond Bell, Managing Director of Bell Contracts, Cookstown, described the development as promoting a 'new, positive image' of the town. Mr Bell said that as the development was still in the early stages and planning has only just been passed, he could not be certain when exactly work will commence but hoped that it would be soon. He told the Courier: "We have only just got planning permission passed but would hope to commence work in the near future It was a bit of a battle to get planning but now that it is passed it will make a whole lot of difference to the area." Referring to the impact the development will have, Mr Bell continued: "Well, this is the main approach from the M1 so it will be the first thing people see when they come into Dungannon so its going to promote a positive image of the town. "It is long over due and it needed a lot of work to get it (the plans) right but we painstakingly took the time to work well with Dungannon Council and all the councillors, because they backed the development to the hilt, and I would like to take this opportunity to praise the councillors for doing such a great job." He added: "There are going to be a lot of long term benefits for the whole of the town, with new employment opportunities through the retail units it's a bit of a lift for the town when it needs it." Source: Tyrone Courier |