By Alan Healy
Time is running out for the development of a new £10m hotel at a landmark site in Derry, it has emerged.
The former Tillie and Henderson shirt factory site has lain empty for 14 years after the original building which occupied the site was demolished in 2003 after being badly damaged in a fire.
In December 2014, planning approval was issued by the Department of the Environment (DoE) to the owners of the site, Andras House Ltd, to build a new 139-bedroom hotel at the vacant plot.
The building had been purchased by Lord Diljit Rana in 1999.
The £10m plans also included two retail units and 15 residential apartments with car parking facilities at the site.
When the plans were first presented to the old Derry City Council in 2011, Rajesh Rana of Andras House Ltd, said that they envisaged an international franchise such as Travelodge or Holiday Inn taking up residence at the site.
In a statement issued after planning approval was granted in 2014, Rajesh Rana of Andras House Ltd, pledged that the development of the Tillies site was a ‘priority’ for the company.
It stated: “Andras House recognises the importance and history of this site to the city of Derry/Londonderry and it is a priority to our company to bring this site forward for development now that planning has been received.”
However, there has been no movement at the site since then.
Progress?
On Tuesday, the Derry News contacted Mr Rana, who said that there had been ‘progress’ at the site, adding that he would elaborate on the details further after consulting with those involved in the project.
However, despite repeated phone calls and emails, Mr Rana has not responded to our requests for more information.
It’s also emerged that planning permission for the new hotel at the site will run out in November 2019, meaning that unless significant development occurs at the site before then, a new planning application will have to be lodged, effectively putting the development back to square one.
It’s also understood that to commence work on the site, Andras House Ltd has to seek approval from the local planning authority, Derry City and Strabane District Council, as a number of conditions had been placed on the planning permission when it was issued in December 2014.
Derry City and Strabane District Council took over the bulk of planning powers from the DoE in April 2015.
That would mean the developer would have to come before the council’s Planning Committee with any proposed plans to have those approved before work can begin at the site.
However, The Derry News has learned that there has been no contact between Andras House Ltd and the local council about the development since the transfer of planning powers in 2015.
“Since the transfer of planning functions to Derry City and Strabane District Council in April 2015, there have been no discussions with the developer regarding this site,” a council spokesperson told the Derry News.
“However, this is a key gateway site into the City which is currently vacant and Council would be happy to engage with the developer regarding development on this site at any time.”
Regrettable
Meanwhile, a former Environment Minister has warned that the lack of progress being made at the Tillies site is harming Derry’s tourism trade.
The SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan was the Minister for Environment when his department issued the approval for the new hotel in December 2014.
“The site has huge potential, which was no doubt identified by the developer when he first purchased this site,” Mr Durkan said.
“Therefore it is regrettable that there has been no movement on the site since permission was granted.
“Derry’s tourism sector is continuing to grow, and it is shame that this site, which is the gateway to the city and indeed the wider northwest, is still lying empty.
Mr Durkan also urged Derry’s council to contact Andras House Ltd in order to ‘ascertain’ what their plans are for the site, and establish a timeline for that before planning permission expires.
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email gareth@derrynews.net at any time.