Plans for the site have divided opinion
The Department for Enterprise is backing a planning appeal to overturn the rejection of a proposed £8 million re-development of the former Newson's site on North Quay.
The original application from Kelproperties for ten apartments and three bar restaurant units was turned down - the main premise of the decision being the loss of registered buildings to accommodate the new development.
The Department for Enterprise concedes it does not have the expertise in respect of registered buildings but believes there's a strong economic argument to support the proposed development.
The plans for the Newsons site have divided opinions with conservationists welcoming the original decision to reject the development plans, and others supporting it both as part of the broader regeneration of the North Quay area, and for its potential benefits to the exchequer in terms of both employment and residential provision.
The rejected plans would have brought about the demolition of numbers 22 to 28 North Quay and the re-development of number 24.
In its initial submission to the Planning Committee in June the Department for Enterprise said the development would also address another government priority in terms of the re-development of a brownfield or redundant site to deliver a mix of commercial and residential development for the benefit of residents and the broader economy.