Distribution hub at Lands C.60M SW of No. 21 Hillhead Road, Toome

“Shivers Business Park is directly opposite the site on the other side of the Hillhead Road. This park consists of a range of units including retail units and service providers. Adjacent to Shivers Business Park, there is a disused car park and a contractor’s yard which is also disused and appears to have been used as a yard for contractors working on the A6 road building project.”

“All of these things mean that whilst this area is in the countryside, it does not really possess a significant degree of rural character. The existence of the new road almost immediately to the north and the very audible traffic noise from this road definitely reduce the rural character / feel of the general area.”

“Following the office meeting and my re-assessment, a refusal was presented to committee in June 2025. It was then agreed to defer the application for a site meeting with planning committee members. On 9 th July, a site meeting was held, Cllr Sean Mc Peake and Cllr Donal McPeake were in attendance. The existing DPD site was also visited to give a full view of the issues raised by the applicant why this site is no longer deemed viable for DPD.”

“The application was recommended for refusal at August 2025 Planning Committee, however it was subsequently withdrawn from the schedule by Karen Doyle (Planning Service Lead -Local Planning) for to allow additional supporting information to be submitted by agent/applicant, to try and overcome the recommended reasons for refusal.”

“Although this criteria is desirable by DPD, the crux of the planning argument is whether this depot must be located at this site and could not be located in a settlement or on zoned economic land outside of a settlement, due to it making ‘a significant contribution to the regional economy’ as per policy requirements.”

“The proposal is contrary to the RDS, The Magherafelt Area Plan 2015 and the SPPS as the proposed development would not be meet the wider sustainability objectives of the Plan which has identified adequate sites for industrial uses of industry and business, the SPPS which requires the level of new building for economic development purposes outside settlements to be restricted and the RDS’ promotion of focussing economic development on the main urban hubs / clusters. 2.”

“Councillor Bell asked for clarity on regional significance. The Councillor stated if DPD had to vacate the existing site and there was a hole in Co. Derry in terms of their delivery service would that not be regionally significant if it was taken away.”

“The HSP advised that officers have asked for verification on having to exit the current site however nothing has been provided to date. The HSP stated that the location is desirable but that he took the view that a distribution hub could be accommodated elsewhere in the County and that has not been addressed either.”

“Councillor Varsani proposed the officer recommendation. The Councillor stated that extra time was allowed to address issues and if this had been done more robustly then a different view may have been able to be taken.”

“Councillor Black seconded Councillor Varsani’s proposal for the same reasons.”