| £400m private road planned for NI Three planning applications have been lodged for a £400 million private road, 2,000 dwellings and a local neighbourhood centre in Northern Ireland. Dungiven-based KPL Group said at its peak, in the first year of construction, the project at Ballyclare in County Antrim will create over 600 jobs and will sustain over 300 jobs during the 20 year life of the project. |
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| The scheme consists of a ‘crucial’ Ballyclare Relief Road, a new 3km road linking between Doagh Road and Rashee Road and includes the construction of a bridge over the Six Mile Water.
It also includes a major urban extension between Doagh Road and Rashee Road, delivering 2000 dwellings, a mixed use local neighbourhood centre including local shops, small scale offices and community facilities, extensive parkland and connected open spaces including a range of play area facilities. |
Construction of the relief road and the first phase of housing at the 259-acre development is due to commence in April 2010. It is anticipated that the relief road will take one year to construct and be opened to traffic in mid – 2011. In year five, a local centre comprising 1000 sq. m of neighbourhood shops, 500 sq. m. of offices and 1,500 sq m of community services and facilities will be constructed. Construction of housing will progress at a rate of approximately 125 houses per year, delivering over 2000 houses over the 20-year build period. The plans have recently submitted to Northern Ireland’s Planning Service’s Strategic Projects Unit following on-going discussions with the department since February 2008. Managing Director of the KPL Group Kevin Lynch said he anticipates a very swift turnaround and subsequent decision on the application as the project has been subject to very detailed pre-application discussions with the Planning Service. He said KPL Group is now in control of all necessary land to finally deliver the relief road and to develop the 2,000 houses. “We’re very much looking forward to making a start on site and making things happen. We intend to commence the road and first phase housing construction in April 2010,” he said. “The proposals are a reflection of the requirements of the community, and we have consulted extensively with local politicians. The crucial aspect now is to progress this application as quickly as possible,” he added. Speaking at the launch, Local MP Dr William McCrea said he strongly supported the proposals. |
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