Firm warns of planning risk to jobs

Firm warns of planning risk to jobs

16 November 2016

THE future of one of the district’s leading businesses could be at risk if it fails to secure planning approval for a key part of its operation.

Lignum Interiors, which manufactures and installs custom-built joinery products including bars, exports its products across the globe. It currently employs 14 highly skilled staff and provides work for over 25 sub-contractors.

But the Invest NI-supported business has warned jobs, securing new contracts and the long term future of its operation could be put at risk if it fails to secure retrospective planning approval for its bespoke workshop at the Ballydonety Road outside Downpatrick.

It is one of three sites the business operates from, with its main workshop located in Crossgar and an administrative, storage and distribution base at the Down Business Park in Downpatrick.

Only two staff are based at the Ballydonety Road site where planners are currently considering a retrospective application to allow this arm of the business to remain in place. Planners are expected to make a final decision ahead of next month’s meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Planning Committee.

Ahead of the meeting, a number of politicians are seeking an urgent meeting with planners to discuss the application and encourage them to approve it, while Simon McAllister, one of the partners who runs the business, is also hoping it will be given the green light. 

The workshop is based at his farm and he has warned that if the application is refused, the long term future of a business could be at risk.

Mr McAllister said Lignum Interiors sources all its raw materials from local companies and described the current business model it operates across three sites as “ideal.” He said the sub-contractors the firm supports provide a range of services including upholstery, spraying and metal work.

He continued: “We use excellent local talent and fantastic sub-contractors which allows us to compete with the so-called big boys on the global stage for contracts. Launched four years ago, the business has enjoyed success and is looking to continue developing in the future. We have also been nominated for a UTV Eye business award in the best small export company category.”

Mr McAllister said Lignum Interiors is hoping for a “positive outcome” on its retrospective application and believes the Ballydonety Road operation meets planning policy in relation to small scale development in the countryside. He said none of the statutory consultees have lodged objections to the application.

“We want our application judged on its merit and are hoping for a positive outcome to allow for future growth. We believe planning policy allows for the application to be approved and hope that is in fact the case,” he continued. “Refusing the application would have a negative impact on the business.

“The business model we use across three sites meets our needs. Our Ballydonety Road base is a low-key, dust free finishing workshop for our range of products which has helped the business secure commissions for Irish-themed bars, fitting out cruisers, boats, restaurants and penthouse apartments in Iraq.”

Mr McAllister said the business operates on a local, national and global scale and has been a success since its launch, producing work for private and commercial markets, recently shipping one of its bars to New Jersey with another being prepared for despatch to Minnesota.

The businessman insists Lignum Interiors is not seeking any special dispensation, but believes planning policy allows for the work that is being undertaken at the Ballydonety Road to continue. He said all the staff who rely on the business for employment live within a 10-mile radius of Downpatrick.

Mr McAllister added: “We are seeking approval for a very low-scale part of the business that allows us to work properly and effectively. Our aim is to deliver long term employment opportunities and continued economic growth for the Newry, Mourne and Down Council area.

“We now have to wait on the decision of the planners and are hoping for a positive outcome to allow us to continue doing what we have been doing for four successful years, providing employment and making a valuable contribution to the district’s economy.”