A community meeting has been arranged in Killylea to discuss plans for the future development of the village’s Orange District Hall after plans to demolish the building were recommended for refusal by council.
The meeting – organised by Keys Killylea which has secured a long-term lease of the property – will take place on Thursday, June 26 at 7.30pm in St Mark’s Parish Church, Killylea.
After securing the lease of the now vacant property on Main Street and lands to the rear, Keys Killylea had submitted plans to Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for the demolition of the premises and construction of a new state-of-the-art community sports hub in its place.
The new venue – which would represent a significant investment in the Co Armagh village – would have consisted of a two-storey structure with a lobby, toilet provision, as well as office accommodation and a kitchen/servery area and vending machines.
There would also have been changing rooms with showers, as well as a disabled access changing facility. Referee accommodation would be included for when the centre is being used to host sporting fixtures.
And the main feature of the ground floor would have been a large hall boasting two courts capable of hosting a range of indoor sports.
Related: Planners opposed to demolition of Killylea Orange Hall for new community sports hub
However, in November 2024 the plans were recommended for refusal by council planners for a number of reasons including that it would result in the loss of an area of land which represents an area of open space; it does not take account of the character of the village or is closely integrated into the existing building fabric of the village, and it does not make a positive contribution to townscape or is sensitive to the character of the area surrounding the site in terms of design, scale and use of materials; a Transport Assessment Form has not been submitted in order to evaluate the transport implications of the proposed development; and that it that it would have an unacceptable adverse impact on the residential amenity of the occupiers of numbers 1 and 2 Esker Park, on the grounds that it would create overshadowing and loss of light, and overlooking and loss of privacy.
The current planning application, however, remains under consideration.
Keys Killylea are now hoping the community will come together to help contribute views and ideas into a new design for the property and all are welcome to attend the meeting.
As part of their research, the community-focused organisation have launched a public survey which aims to “gather local views and opinions about the need for a bespoke community, cultural, and youth hub building to cater for the diverse needs of the Killylea and the rural environs, now and in the future.”
The survey will be active from June 6 until August 1, at 5pm and can be accessed here.
