The Minister for Social Development, Mervyn Storey MLA has said that plans to address car parking problems in Coleraine are on hold. This is in response to a question tabled by Gregory Campbell, the DUP MLA for East Londonderry.
The Minister said “My Department has been working with developers for a number of years to take forward schemes aimed at providing a mixed use development comprising additional retail space, new housing increasing parking spaces at both Abbey Street and The Mall car parks in Coleraine town centre.”
Explaining further, Mr Storey said: “The Abbey Street scheme would deliver:
At least 540 parking spaces;
Approximately 30,000 sq ft of retail accommodation; and
12 residential apartments.”
“The mall scheme would deliver up to:
900 car parking spaces in three underground levels of car parking
Approximately 171,000 sq ft of retail accommodation
700 m² of office space
115 apartments above the retail floors”
Minister Storey went on to say “The schemes form part of the regeneration initiatives that were identified in the Coleraine Town Centre masterplan that was commissioned by my Department. These proposed developments are not, however, currently economically viable due to the mixed use requirements to provide retail space as well as additional parking spaces.”
“Departmental officials continue to work closely with the developers for the Lanes Scheme and the Ramparts scheme, to discuss proposals but it is difficult to predict when market conditions will improve sufficiently and if the developers can secure the necessary finances. Funding support by the Department would be subject to a satisfactory business case and capital budget allocations as well as council priorities in the event of transfers under RLG.”
