Antique and garden centre at Former Dicksons Home and Garden Centre, Bangor

What was proposed

The scheme would alter and extend the vacant centre for a garden and antique centre, food uses, restaurant, landscaping, play area and parking.

“DEA: Holywood & Clandeboye Proposal: Proposed alterations to, and extension of, the existing vacant Dickson’s H ome and Garden C entre to accommodate a new garden and antique centre with ancillary farm/deli shop/café, restaurant, landscaping and children’s play area. Development includes the reconfiguration of the existing car park and all other associated site and access works.”

Officer report

Site and surroundings

The site contains former garden-centre buildings, other commercial buildings and a shared informal car park accessed from Cootehall Road beside the protected A2 route.

“The application site comprises a plot of land which incorporates the existing buildings associated with the former Dickson’s Home & Garden Centre. There were three other businesses on the site comprising Tobermore, Clearly Aquatics and Advanced Conservatories. Clearly Aquatics is the only other business currently operating on the site.”

“The site is currently accessed from Cootehall Road on the eastern boundary, which is to be retained. An existing informal car park is shared among the businesses within the site, with space for c.60 cars. The Belfast Road (A2) is to the south, and existing trees and vegetation are located along the west boundary, which were recently maintained after becoming overgrown.”

Officer report

Previous use and planning history

The site has a long history as a home and garden centre, with permissions for extensions, showrooms and associated restaurant and horticultural uses.

“There is no recent planning history relating to the application site. However, a planning history search has confirmed the site has a long history as a home and garden centre with associated restaurant dating back to the late 1980s as below:”

“W/1988/0115 - Demolition of existing complex and erection of new indoor Garden Centre and Restaurant with associated external horticultural areas – Permission Granted…”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended permission because the proposal reused and diversified an established garden-centre site without unacceptable planning impacts.

“In the overall planning balance, significant weight can be attached to the established lawful use of the site as a garden centre, as originally approved under planning reference W/1980/0628 for garden centre display and production and subsequently redeveloped under permission W/1988/0115 for a new indoor garden centre and restaurant with associated external horticultural areas.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Statutory consultees raised no objections, subject to conditions or advice on drainage, flooding, natural heritage and pollution prevention.

“Consultations – synopsis of responses: DFI Roads No objections DFI Rivers No objections subject to conditions NI Water No objections Shared Environmental Service No objections subject to conditions NIEA Natural Environment Division No objections subject to conditions NIEA Water Catchment Unit No objections subject to standing advice Environmental Health No objections…”

Officer report

Public views

Sixteen supporters cited regeneration, investment, jobs, visitor spending, local producers, community benefits, the play area and improved appearance.

“Redevelopment of a long-derelict and underutilised site. • Re-establishes a historic and appropriate commercial use. • Regeneration of a visually poor and vacant site within the business site. • Significant inward investment of approximately £5 million. • Creation of circa 80 jobs across a range of sectors. • Increased visitor footfall supporting the wider Bangor and North Down economy.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support with the applicant present, describing the relocation, investment, jobs, refurbishment and proposed combined antique and garden centre.

Members’ views

Members welcomed the investment, employment, regeneration and alignment with council plans, while praising officers for progressing the application.

“Commenting as seconder Councillor McClean expressed his thanks to the Planning Team for getting the application through so expeditiously. The applicant had made representation to a number of Members about his proposals and had made comment that he could not fault the Planning Officers in any way for getting the application through so speedily. Continuing Councillor McClean acknowledged that the application would have a turnover of £5M per annum and create up to 65 jobs.”

“Councillor Cathcart welcomed the significant vote of confidence shown in Bangor through this investment. He agreed that Planning Officers had been excellent in chasing up the various statutory agencies and this application would demonstrate that the Borough welcomed such schemes and investment. He added that it was really exciting and encouraging to see and he was therefore happy to support.”

Minutes

The committee’s vote

Alderman Graham proposed adopting the recommendation, Councillor McClean seconded it, and the committee resolved to grant permission.

“Subject to planning being granted it was hoped the store would be refurbished and trading by Spring 2027. In summing up [the agent] thanked the Planning officers who had processed this application diligently and collaboratively to bring the application before the Committee. He thanked Members for their time and respectfully requested that the Committee endorsed the positive officer recommendation. He added that he and Justin were happy to answer any questions.”

“RESOLVED, on the proposal of Alderman Graham, seconded by Councillor McClean, that the recommendation be adopted and that the Council grants planning permission. 4.3”

Minutes