NEWRY: £60M housing plans for ‘Europe’s busiest heliport’

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A south Armagh former British army base considered the ‘busiest heliport in Europe’ for 30 years has been approved for a £60m housing development despite huge local objections.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s planning department signed off the application (Oct 4) for the old Bessbrook Mill site to be transformed with over 260 homes.

Fifty-six of the homes will be provided for social housing with support of the NI Housing Executive according to the council report.

Local resident John Davis, who submitted a petition against the development with over 1,000 signatures, pleaded for the planners to listen to local people’s objections.

“I have a petition in my hands of over 1,000 signatures and these people are very much opposed to the development at Bessbrook Mill as it stands.

“They would like it to have a more commercial enterprise aspect and are very upset that parts are going to be demolished that have historic value and a world interest to its famous linen machinery.

“Is anybody listening to the ordinary folk from the village of Bessbrook?

“They have nothing against housing, but you don’t build housing on a historic site.

“I would ask the decision makers to search your conscience on the decision you will make because the wrong one will have a terrible detrimental effect on the village, believe me it will.”

Over 180 objection letters also appear on the Northern Ireland Planning Portal to the application by Farlstone Construction Ltd.

According to the council report, the Historic Environment Division (HED) of the Department of Communities offered no objections to the application subject to policy conditions.

As a speaker, in support of the objectors, Slieve Gullion UUP councillor David Taylor said:”I am not against the development of Bessbrook as it does need development.

“But, there is significant concern in the local community regarding the scale and over intensity of residential development proposed in a confined area.”

The abandoned Bessbrook Mill had been taken over as a HQ of the British army during the Troubles.

The chamber heard that development of the old Mill was first mooted some 20 years ago at the end of the British army’s Operation Banner in 2007.

The British base had been documented in the media as the busiest heliport in Europe during the Troubles.

The new plans for the mixed-use development were first submitted in August 2023, proposing the former Bessbrook Mill site and one-time army base to be transformed into a combination of housing, retail and office accommodation.

A spokesperson for the applicant Farlstone Construction Ltd, said: “I appreciate the objections but ardently feel they are misfounded.

“There is a housing need and this is a mixed use development.

“There just isn’t a commercial will to do a small enterprise development

“This site is the keystone site of the village and it is decaying and if something isn’t done very quickly with it, it will not be there to be done.

“From when the Troubles started in 1969, Bessbrook Mill was separated from the village, fenced off and left as a core to rot within the village itself.

“We are now opening that back out and linking the flow of the village to bring the Mill back to the people to appreciate its magnificence.”

Slieve Gullion Sinn Fein councillor Aine Quin proposed to accept the recommendation to approve the application.

She said:“I understand the strength of feeling from the objectors, but I do think this is a prime opportunity too good not to pass up.”

Crotlieve SDLP councillor Declan McAteer, seconded the proposal, saying:”On balance I believe the recommendation to approve is the correct one for that particular part of Bessbrook and will serve the community well.”

A majority vote of seven approved the application with one abstaining.