A planning application has been submitted for the construction of a replacement house and new “manager’s dwelling” as the owner of an existing 130-year-old business premises in Derrynoose gets set to retire.
Submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council in the name of Mr Conall McNally, the outline planning application pertains to lands comprising 5 Listrakelt Road – the site of The Dandy’s Derrynoose – and lands adjacent to 4 Listrakelt Road.
It requests permission to construct a replacement building associated with the existing business, a manager’s accommodation and garage across a 0.36 hectare site. A new access point is also proposed from Listrakelt Road.
According to a planning statement prepared by Genesis Planning Consultants, the historical trading within the site extends back to approximately 1895 when two brothers – Paddy and John Clarke – commenced trading on the site via retailing grocery and general hardware and agricultural merchandise which included animal feeds.
It adds: “Trading as P & J Clarke continued within the subject site under the management of Mr Thomas McNally until approximately 1990, subsequent to which date the premises was leased to various individuals thereafter.”
The agent highlights that the nature of the business has been for “storage, sales and distribution of agricultural related goods which range from animal feeds and general merchant supplies”.
Providing rationale for the manager’s residence, the agent states that since the business first opened over 130 years ago the manager of the business has “always resided directly adjacent to the business”.
Historically the manager’s dwelling was located at 5 Listrakelt Road (the original two-storey dwelling now to be replaced) and then in 1980 a split level bungalow directly opposite, but also located at 5 Listrakelt Road, became the manager’s residence, which was then occupied by Mr T McNally and his family.
For the last 16 years the business has been operated and managed by Mr Tom McNally who has lived at 4 Listrakelt Road from then to the present day.
However, the agent explains that “in the near future” Mr Tom McNally intends to retire, with the natural succession and management of the business then passing to his son, Mr Conall McNally, the prospective applicant.
Management of the business is regarded within the application as a constant “full time occupation”, requiring the manager to always be on-site or available from their home to ensure the smooth running of the business on a 24-hour basis.
The application is due to be advertised shortly.
