A huge multi-million pound holiday park – complete with glamping pods, caravans and chalets – is being planned around the site of the famous Hearty’s Folk Cottage in Crossmaglen, Armagh I can reveal.
And full details of the development – which also includes an extension to the existing Redfellas Bar and could provide a significant jobs boost for the area – will be made public later this month.
A pre-application notice – requested by Newry- Mourne and Down District Council given the scale of the development planned – has now been deemed acceptable.
It means the next stage will see detailed plans made available at a public consultation to take place at the Hearty’s Folk Cottage site, on the Lurgan Road, in mid-May.
Little is known at this stage, but a wide range of accommodation types will feature on a development site which could stretch to in excess of 160,000 sq ft.
Extensions are also being planned to the shop and outbuildings too.
There would also be landscaping and open space provided, as well as access arrangements and considerable parking facilities for visitors on site.
The applicant is a Crossmaglen resident, Aoife Daly, and the holiday park would be sited on lands to the rear of Hearty’s Folk Cottage.
Neighbours will be written to and advised of the plans, while a two-hour public event is held.
According to the agent, Clyde Shanks Ltd: “The event will take place with a sequence of graphically-designed consultation boards that explain the scale, nature and location of the proposed development, the planning context and the works undertaken by the applicant and their design team so far.
“Sign in sheets and feedback forms will be made available at the public event so that interested parties can provide their comments.”
It is these which will be used and considered before an application seeking full permission is submitted.
It was only in September of last year that Hearty’s Folk Cottage and Redfellas Bar – as well as agricultural lands – were advertised for sale.
The venue is the epitome of Irish charm and tradition; with whitewashed walls and thatched roof, it has been a must call for visitors to the area.
The licensed premises consists of a main bar and a seating/restaurant area, snug, kitchen, and toilet facilities. The Folk Cottage includes shop and display area.
It is a timeless setting in the beautiful south Armagh countryside, six kilometres from Crossmaglen and 12kms from Dundalk.
And if the go-ahead is now given for a holiday park development, many people from all over will get to stay and enjoy the special scenes and setting which are truly priceless!
