Strabane town-centre improvements at Lands at 1 - 80 Railway Street; 2 - 8 Derry Road; 2 - 28 Castle Street; 1 - 49 Abercorn Square; 23 - 29 Butchers

The site and surroundings

The site centred on Abercorn Square and included surrounding streets forming the main shopping, office and service streets of Strabane town centre.

“Site and Surrounding Area The site is shown on the site location map provided in figure 1. It is located within the town centre boundary and centres on Abercorn Square - a focal point of the town centre as described in the Strabane Area Plan. The proposed public realm improvement works incorporate Railway Street, Castle Street, Main Street, Derry Road and Market Street, which all radiate from Abercorn Square.”

“The aim of this scheme is to address issues such as the decline in town centre activity by improving pedestrian and vehicular movement throughout the town centre making a more inviting place for potential investors, local residents and visitors.”

Officer report

Earlier permission

An earlier public realm permission was approved in 2019 but expired without starting, so the current application proposed the same development.

“Relevant Planning H istory LA11/2016/0680/PAD - The proposed redevelopment of the public realm in Strabane Town Centre. These improvements include a range of measures to improve the public realm and road corridors, including a realignment of the traffic flows, junction improvements, road re-surfacing of existing footways with granite and concrete paving/kerbs, tree planting, and upgrading of street furniture and street lighting, improvements to on-street parking…”

“Square/Derry Road/Canal Street, resulting in a realignment of the traffic flows and creation of a new public space in Abercorn Square; improvements to the junctions at Market Street/Butcher Street/Church Street and Main Street/Market Street/Bridge Street, resulting in a realignment of traffic flows; relocation of taxi rank and improvements to on-street parking and service areas. This application was approved by planning committee on 4 th September 2019.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the scheme supported town-centre environmental improvements, accessibility and the relocation of open space to a more useful and attractive position.

“Conclusion and Recommendation A public realm improvement scheme is proposed for Strabane Town Centre. The scheme involves, realignment of the Railway Street / Derry Road junction in Abercorn Square, realignment of the Market Street/ Church Street / Butcher Street junction, relocation of the public amenity space within Abercorn Square, resurfacing of footpaths, removal of the public toilet block at Market Street and relocation of the taxi rank from Abercorn Square to…”

“It is considered that the proposed public realm scheme accords with the objectives and policies for environmental improvements to the appearance of Strabane Town Centre as set out in the LDP. It is considered that the improvements works accord with the Place- Making & Design Vision /Policy for Strabane as set out in Chapter 28 of the LDP. The proposal accords with the requirements of Policy TAM 1 in that it takes account of people with disabilities and mobility issues.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Consultees raised no objections overall, subject to conditions covering construction, roads, contamination, archaeology, drainage and environmental protection.

“Consultee Responses • NIEA Natural Environment Division have no concerns subject to recommended conditions relating to the implementation of the CEMP. • Environmental Heath have no concerns subject to the outline CEMP progressed to a final CEMP approved through conditions • NIEA Water Management Unit are content subject to condition requiring Management Plan (CEMP) / Method of Works Statement (MOS) to be approved 8 weeks prior to commencement of development.”

“Chapter 25, FLD 1, ‘Exceptions in Defended Areas’. The submitted FRA demonstrates that current flood defences maintained by DFI rivers are structurally adequate and therefore that the proposal meets exception (a) of FLD1. • NIE Networks has no objections • Historic Environment Division - Historic Buildings are content with the proposals subject to condition requiring implementation of programme of archaeology works.”

Officer report

Objection received

One objection concerned land ownership, but notice had been served on DFI Roads and officers considered the procedures correct.

“The applicant has served notice on DFI Roads through the application and therefore officers are content that correct procedures have been followed. The applicant has also advised that DfI exercise control over the lands that are adopted for maintenance purposes and DFI Roads are also happy to give consent for the scheme to proceed and are project partners.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two speakers on behalf of the applicant outlined reasons for supporting approval.

Members’ comments

Members welcomed the works and asked for regular communication with traders and the public and review of traffic control during construction.

“Councillor Gallagher stated that he welcomed the work and planning undertaken in respect of the public realm improvements.”

“Councillor Leonard also welcomed the planned works to be carried out in Strabane and requested that regular communications take place with traders and the public in Strabane on the matter and that contractors reviewed the traffic control arrangements during that time.”

Minutes

The vote

Members unanimously supported the proposal to approve planning permission.

“Councillor Gallagher Proposed, Seconded by Councillor Leonard to support the recommendation to approve planning permission.”

“The outcome of the vote was unanimous in support of the proposal.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved the application in line with the officer recommendation, subject to the listed conditions.

“The Committee Resolved to support the Officer recommendation to approve application LA11/2025/0179/F, subject to conditions as outlined within the report.”

Minutes