APPROVAL was given today to demolish the remains of the former Poundstretcher building on Derry’s Bishop Street to allow for a new family justice and domestic violence centre.
Members of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Planning Committee approved a request to demolish it and approve a planning application to build a new Justice Centre.
The family justice centre – “One Safe Place” -, for Foyle Women’s Aid will consist of a reception, offices, family rooms, ancillary facilities and a public drop-in centre cafe at ground floor level with nine supported housing units in a separate associated block to the rear at 7-9 Bishop Street.
An application to demolish the former Poundstretcher building including its front façade floors and frame was granted subject to a number of conditions.
Members of the committee heard that the proposed development comprises of a social enterprise café and shared justice centre that occupies the three floors of the building, which fronts onto Bishop Street and the nine supported living units, which are located on a new build block to the rear of the proposed Justice Centre/café.
The new build bloc will be a three story building that will include a family room space with covered open space for children along with nine apartment.
The block will be attached to the Justice Centre through a glazed covered atrium on the ground floor.
Welcoming the planning decision, the Chairperson of the Planning Committee Cllr Christopher Jackson said the new centre will allow a wide range of co-ordinated services to operate under one roof and greatly assist the level of support provided to domestic violence victims and their families.
He said he was delighted that a derelict site at Bishop Street would be regenerated into a new and much needed facility for the local community.
All planning application forms, drawings, letters etc. relating to this planning application are available to view on www.planningni.gov.uk
