Poundstretcher building to be tumbled for Foyle Women's Aid 'One Safe Place' family justice centre

The family justice centre - “One Safe Place” -, for Foyle Women’s Aid will consist of a reception, offices, family rooms, ancillary facilities and a public drop-in centre cafe at ground floor level with nine supported housing units in a separate associated block to the rear at 7-9 Bishop Street.

An application to demolish the former Poundstretcher building including its front façade floors and frame was granted subject to a number of conditions.

Members of the committee heard that the proposed development comprises of a social enterprise café and shared justice centre that occupies the three floors of the building, which fronts onto Bishop Street and the nine supported living units, which are located on a new build block to the rear of the proposed Justice Centre/café.

The new build bloc will be a three story building that will include a family room space with covered open space for children along with nine apartment.

The block will be attached to the Justice Centre through a glazed covered atrium on the ground floor.

Welcoming the planning decision, the Chairperson of the Planning Committee Colr. Christopher Jackson said the new centre will allow a wide range of co-ordinated services to operate under one roof and greatly assist the level of support provided to domestic violence victims and their families.

He said he was delighted that a derelict site at Bishop Street would be regenerated into a new and much needed facility for the local community.

All planning application forms, drawings, letters etc. relating to this planning application are available to view on www.planningni.gov.uk.