BY CATHERINE COOK
A major retail and commercial development is due to commence in the Ballymacool area of Letterkenny over coming weeks.
Derry-based developers, McWil-liams Homes Ltd., is set to start work on a multi-million euro development to be called the 'Ballymacool Neighbourhood Centre' which will occupy a high-profile corner site, adjacent to the new town park.
The proposed scheme will be part of a 34.5 hectare development with planning permission for approximately 550 residential units and the eight hectare public park.
Last year an 83 acre residential development site with full planning permission for 555 housing units at Ballymacool went on the market with a guide price of ¤40 million. In October of last year, however, the developers were granted permission for modifications to the existing plans.
The Centre itself comprises seven ground floor retail units ranging in size from 100sq. m to 338sq. m together with three self-contained office units on the first floor as well as a substantial detached medical centre and crèche development. Apartments will be located on the second and third floors of the development.
According to selling agent, Mr Dermot Rainey of Letterkenny-based Sherry Fitzgerald Rainey a major convenience store brand name has already expressed "very serious interest in the development, subject to obtaining a local franchise operator, which offers an exciting business opportunity".
He explained that discussions are ongoing with other business users such as a pharmacy and turf accountant to locate their business to the Neighbourhood Centre. And a number of lettings are "expected to be concluded very shortly".
One of the development's main attractions for investors, according to Mr Rainey is that: "The offices are available for sale, allowing local professionals purchase their own accommodation. This option has not been readily available in the past as the majority of developers tended to lease rather than sell office accommodation."
Developments at Ballymacool have previously been at the centre of strong opposition by local residents who, in 2004, called on Letterkenny Town Council not to rezone lands from 'open space' to allow residential developments.
Over 2,500 local people in the Letterkenny area objected to the proposed variation of the new Town Plan which they claimed would clear the way for development on the land commonly known as the front lawns of Ballymacool House.
In September 2003, Donegal County Council granted permission to McWilliams Developments Ltd from Derry, to construct 90 houses, commercial units, apartments, a crèche and health centre as part of phase 1 of an overall development at Ballymacool.
However, the local Ballymacool Development Group subsequently appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála stating that the necessary infrastructure was not in place to cater for the development. The developers subsequently withdrew their application from the appeals process.
As part of the ambitious plan, McWilliams agreed to hand over 20 acres to the Council for the development of a second town park and 1.5 acres for a school site. They also gave a commitment to upgrade the Letterkenny to Glenties road (R250), put in place a new footpath together with a number of other infra-structure improvements including major upgrading and renewal of the storm and sewage systems.
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