Plans to build 164 new homes on the site of a former hospital in Omagh have been given the green light by the local council.
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have approved plans from development company South Bank Square to build the homes on the former Tyrone County Hospital site.
The site of the hospital was closed in 2017, and later acquired by the Co Derry property firm in 2020.
READ MORE: In pictures: Tyrone County Hospital makes way for new housing development
The homes will include a mix of detached, semi-detached, townhouses and apartments.
Work is due to commence shortly on the site, with the first phase of houses expected to be released later this year.
Martin Mallon of South Bank Square said: “Securing planning permission for this new development on a prime site in Omagh is fantastic news and the result of the hard work and support of many people, including our own design team and various local stakeholders.
“This development represents a very significant investment in Omagh through the creation of high-quality homes on a strategically important edge of town site.
“We are grateful to Fermanagh & Omagh District Council for this positive decision and look forward to getting work underway.”
Sinn Féin West Tyrone MP Órfhlaith Begley welcomed the news, and also confirmed that the developer had given a commitment that some of the homes at the former hospital site will be offered to NHS workers at a reduced price.
“This is welcomed news for Omagh given the huge demand locally for housing,” the MP said.
“I have been liaising with the developers over the past number of months to ensure the voices of the local people are listened to given the history of this site.
“This is a £25 million investment to transform the derelict site with a range of housing types planned including apartments, townhouses, semi-detached and detached houses.
“This will allow for job creation with around 150 local jobs being created during the construction period.”
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