Plans for the construction of 98 new homes including 58 mainly semi-detached houses and 40 apartments at Templemore Road in Derry were passed this week.
Gravis Planning obtained planning from the local council's planning committee on Wednesday night, despite local residents in the area raising their concerns.
Residents from properties in College Glen, College Mews, Templemore Mews and Donal Casey Court submitted 27 objection letters to the council.
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A total of 98 new homes are set to be built on the currently derelict site adjacent to Faustina Retail Park, which currently is home to retail stores The Range, Poundstretcher and Dunelm.
Subsequently, an objection was also received from a consultant on behalf of Threadneedle - the owners of Faustina Retail Park.
Concerns were raised about the land being re-zoned for residential properties rather than retail. The land was zoned for retail in 2011 and Tesco had previously applied to build at the site.
It's understood that local residents were never informed of a request for a change of use from retail to residential.
Those who objected to the development told MyDerry that the approval for residential homes removes the possibility of future employment and jobs for the wider Galliagh area.
Concerns were also raised about the detrimental effect the proposals will have on the character of the area, gross overdevelopment and further traffic congestion
However, Gravis Planning said the approval will provide an investment of circa £11.5 million to the local economy.
In a statement, they said: "Gravis Planning is delighted to have obtained planning permission at planning committee for a high-quality social housing development at Templemore Road, Derry.
"The proposal is being brought forward by the EHA Group in partnership with Arbour Housing and will deliver much-needed social housing to the city.
"The housing mix of 98 units includes 58 houses mainly semi-detached and 40 apartments with several units being wheelchair accessible.
"The proposal and housing mix was supported by NIHE and will help to alleviate the growing demand for social housing and provide high-quality housing for local families.
"The proposal is also designed to accommodate any future A2 Buncrana Road works and includes a generous provision of open space.
"The planning application received unanimous approval at Derry City & Strabane District Council Planning Committee in April 2022.
"This approval will provide an investment of circa £11.5 million to the local economy and the creation of approximately 80 jobs during the construction process."
For further information on the development, you can use the planning number LA11/2020/0244/F.
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