New filling station and hot food bar proposed for Craigavon workers

Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council is to assess the application which is for the derelict piece of land on Carn Road at the New Charlestown Road junction.

The proposals include a petrol filling station with forecourt canopy, a shop, hot food bar and associated works.

The target market is the thousands of workers in the Carn Industrial Estates which dot around the area, including major employers such as Hyster.

According to the application, a 10 bay petrol filling station will be erected with a 277 sq m shop and associated parking and ancillary servicing arrangements.

The application has been made in the name of Ennismore Pension Fund, with an address at Maghery Road, Milltown, Portadown.

A Dungannon estate agent revealed that the area on which the planning application has been made was sold in February but the new owner remains unknown.

The land is currently around half a hectare in size and is currently ‘overgrown grassland, which is open to the Charlestown New Road, Carn Road and the road serving the adjoining business park’.

There will be retail floor space, a hot food bar, sitting area, WC, office, staff room, store, prep/store and other areas.

The forecourt will be under a high canopy. There will be additional HGV and car parking spaces for 22 vehicles.

It states that the proposals have ‘the potential to create local jobs that might not otherwise be generated’.

“Its associated shop, hotfood bar and seating area will also benefit commuters and existing employees of surrounding businesses by providing an alternative in terms of refuelling, the purchase of convenience goods, access to hot food.”

It also proposes to remain open until midnight to accomodate shift workers in the area.