Shopping centre set to create 120 jobs

Fingal has approved Rushbury Properties' plan for a new commercial centre with supermarket, shops, cafes, restaurants and a gym on Rush Main Street.

The existing thatched cottage on the street will become a key feature of the new development, which will also include a 121-space car park.

Shea Kelly, agent for the new development, says the properties on the site have been lying derelict for many years and the empty and disused buildings have become a eyesore.

"The disjointed nature of the commercial and retail buildings along this extended Main Street has resulted in fragmented shopping activity," he said.

The new development will have a open 'plaza' space to the north and the post office will be upgraded.

Mr Kelly said before the arrival of Tesco in Rush, residents were driving to Swords and Balbriggan to do their weekly shopping.

"This leakage on a weekly basis has had a detrimental effect on the main street, with many businesses struggling to survive the economic downturn".

He said the new centre was estimated to bring between 90 and 120 new jobs.

Rushbury Properties had been "extremely careful in presenting a design that takes account of the existing streetscape, the fall in level from the Main Street to the sea and the provision of openings in the new streetscape to give views of the sea from the street".

csheey@herald.ie