West Tyrone Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Doherty seeks timescale from DETI Minister over acquisition of industrial land for Strabane Business Park

Published: 16 February, 2010

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP MLA Pat Doherty has cautiously welcomed the response from DETI Minister Arlene Foster to a written question he submitted in which he sought a timescale for the completion of the acquisition of 11.5 hectres of land at Melmount Road , Strabane, for the development of a business Park.

The local MP who has been engaged in a long term lobby with DETI to ensure that the issue of the lack of available industrial land in Strabane be addressed said,

"The lack of industrial zoned land in Strabane has been a long term barrier to economic regeneration and development in the District and after the extensive lobby that was conducted we finally saw a breakthrough in August last year when Invest NI submitted two planning applications (full and outline) seeking approval for the development of a new Business Park in the District.

"Recently however, I have become concerned about the slow progress in terms of the completion of this acquisition and I sought through a written question to the Minister to secure a timescale as to when the Business Park at Melmount Road would become available for business start ups, business expansions and inward investment.

"In response, the Minister said that prior to the submission of the applications Invest NI engaged with both the Planning Service and other key stakeholder through the Pre Application Discussion process. Continuing she stated that Invest NI is hopeful that this engagement will assist Planning Service with its consultation process and enable and early decision to be provided and that Invest NI would be continuing to work with Planning Service, the Council and key stakeholders to achieve a successful outcome.

While the Minister has provided no specific timescale I welcome the commitment to progress the acquisition and that there are no apparent obstacles standing in the way of this issue being resolved as speedily as possible.