WP Has Questions Regarding Proposed Redevelopment in Bessbrook
In August 2023, plans were lodged for the £60 million redevelopment of former Bessbrook Mill site – a one-time army base – into a mix of housing, retail sites, and office spaces. Revised plans were submitted and opened to consultation in March this year after the council stated that, while the proposal was “welcomed in principle”, a previous planning permission had expired and “the previously approved scheme can no longer be relied upon as an accepted design /layout given subsequent change in planning policy, area plan and guidance since this time”.
The revised proposals have received over 100 objections since opening to public consultation on March 9. The original proposal was for a total of 272 residential units – comprising 214 apartments and 58 houses – two retail units, three office units and a gym. In the updated application, the number of residential units has been reduced to 264 s, with the two retail units now reduced to one. The three office units and gym remain unchanged within the revised plans. Below, Nicola Grant outlines her objections to the proposed development.
While more housing is always welcome, important questions remain to be answered.
Will there be public housing included in the development?
Will they be available at public housing rents?
If there are public housing rents is there a commitment to maintain the rents at public housing rates?
Further, is there an infrastructure plan in place to accommodate this development?
Schools, doctors, transport, and other facilities would be needed to support so many residential dwellings. Have the planners taken into consideration the impact such a development would have on the village population and its unique heritage?
At one time, Bessbrook linen was among the finest in the world. Tenement houses were constructed for the mill workers, many of which were of such good quality that they are still inhabited today. Would the proposed development cherish that heritage?
The Workers Party is of view that the voice of the local community should be listened to, and we believe that the development would be best placed as a museum with cafes etc.
This would enable the village to retain its historical heritage and attract tourists. Schools and other public services are already oversubscribed, and water and sewerage systems have been a barrier to other house building programs. This development will add to the problems already being experienced by the existing population of the area.