Dismay over plans for landmark garage site

SIR, — It was to my great dismay when I learned this week that the famous Campbell’s garage site on the edge of Killyleagh is subject to a planning application submitted to Newry, Mourne and Down Council for ten apartments and houses.

This will be a surprise to many in the town who used the business for several years. 

Over the past few months when the usual comings and goings stopped and cars disappeared from the forecourt, I worried for the site’s future.

Campbell’s garage was a local business in situ on the site for many years and to see the retro style garage demolished and replaced with bland housing does not seem like the correct way forward. 

I understand that the owners of the site want to maximise the potential and it is great to see high quality new homes already being built in Killyleagh at Sloanhill and on the former police station site.

However, I don’t think the provision of new homes should cause displacement of some of the great local businesses and iconic buildings that make the town so unique.

The proposed design of the replacement properties does not represent the high quality that is needed on such a landmark site at the entrance to Killyleagh.

I hope that the local people will make their views known to ensure that a compromise can be found. 

Yours etc,

CONCERNED, 

Killyleagh.

(Name and address supplied).