By Ryan Sands
Redevelopment plans for Warrenpoint’s former police station have been submitted.
A proposal to demolish the disused Charlotte Street facility and replace it with three retail units and eight apartments was lodged with council planners by Breen Developments Ltd last Monday (18 May).
Documentation reveals that the ground floor retail units would total 581 square metres, and that six two-bedroom and two one-bedroom apartments would be located on the floor above.
The development – which “represents an investment of circa £4m” – would also include 26 on-site parking spaces, a service yard, a bike parking area and bin storage, whilst the existing western access would be retained to serve the site.
A planning supporting statement notes that the 0.2-hectare site currently contains the station building and an area of hardstanding, adding that the surrounding area is of “mixed-use character”.
“The site and building are highly visible from Charlotte Street and occupy a significant stretch of the street frontage,” it continues.
“As the existing building is very dated and in a run-down, dilapidated and unmaintained state, it significantly detracts from the existing streetscape and is in sharp contrast to its immediate surroundings and the wider area.
“In addition, the tall steel fence that surrounds the site to the sides and rear only serves to emphasise its previous utilitarian use, which is completely incongruous with its surroundings and is no longer in use or required.
“The proposed development on the other hand is an excellent opportunity to renew and revitalise this site, which will have obvious and significant benefits for the site, the local streetscape and its surroundings.”
The document states that the police station “clearly makes no positive contribution” to the Area of Townscape Character (ATC) in which it is situated, and that the proposal to demolish and replace it with the proposed scheme is “clearly compliant” with policy and would represent “a clear enhancement of the existing site”.
