Strabane and District Caring Services have been refused planning permission to employ a residential address in Chestnut Park, which is directly behind their current premises on Bridge Street, for additional training rooms for their volunteers.

“We are very disappointed by the decision, this is something we had planned to do as part of our long term strategy,” Gerard Harkin, Manager of Strabane and District Caring Services told the ‘Journal.’

“Although I am naturally disappointed, I respect the decision which was made by the relevant authorities. It means that we will now have to rethink our long term plan and reorganise ourselves,” Mr. Harkin said.

The planning application was refused on the basis that it could prove “detrimental” to the residential neighbouring properties by reason of “noise, nuisance and general disturbance.”

A lack of parking and loading bays outside the property in Chestnut Park also contributed to the refusal of the application.