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Choke hold on the town - 17 April 2008
LURGAN'S town centre manager has issued a plea for the conservation constraints that are choking the town to be relaxed.LURGAN'S town centre manager has issued a plea for the constraints that are choking the town to be relaxed.
Lurgan Forward is backing developers who have been constrained by the Conservation Area which surrounds the town centre.
Noel Ferguson, Town Centre Manager commented: “In 2004 when the Conservation Area was applied to the town, the then Environment Minister Angela Smith stated that the designation would recognise the distinctive character and appearance of Lurgan town centre, and while protecting the special quality of its townscape, will provide a stimulus for growth and greater economic vitality through conservation-led regeneration.
He said Lurgan Forward welcomes the benefits that are associated with the Conservation Area such as the ability to ensure buildings are kept in good repair, maintaining an important link with the past, and the provision of increased property values arising from the well preserved character and appearance.
The Conservation has also permitted Lurgan Forward to apply for funds to be awarded under the Townscape Heritage Initiative.
Mr Ferguson added: “We do not however wish to see the Conservation Area applied so rigidly that it hinders the redevelopment of the town which the policy is intended to achieve. We would encourage the Planning Service to be pragmatic in its application of the Conservation Area, in order to protect not just the townscape character but to promote economic vitality and inward investment.”