A new defibrillator could be installed on the historic Bank of Ireland building in Lurgan town centre.
It is the latest in a number of branches earmarked for the provision of the life-saving device for public use in an emergency.
Previously, proposals had been presented – and approved – for the Bank of Ireland branch at English Street in Armagh.
Now, plans have been drawn up for the branch at 13 Market Street in Lurgan.
In order to proceed, a listed building consent application is being made due to the historic nature of the building.
The proposals have been lodged with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
There has been a building on the site for almost two centuries.
According to a planning statement, the three-storey Bank of Ireland premises is a terraced property with a “Neoclassical ground-level façade”.
It assumed its present form in 1922, when the existing dwelling – built around 1840 – was remodelled to a design by Tulloch & Fitzsimons.
The planning statement outlines what is entailed – and why.
It states: “As part of the Bank of Ireland’s roll-out for the installation of external emergency defibrillators for use by the general public, the Lurgan Bank of Ireland premises has been identified for the proposed installation of this medical emergency unit.
“The defibrillator unit comprises an external yellow-coloured, weather-resilient cabinet measuring 520mm high x 450mm wide x 255mm deep, which houses the medical equipment internally. Usually, these cabinets are installed at a height of between 1m and 1.35m from external ground level.
“Unfortunately, due to space limitations on the existing front elevation, the defibrillator unit is proposed to be installed immediately under the existing ground floor cill level. The method of installation is by two small screw fixings made into the existing external wall. A small pilot hole will also be drilled through the wall to facilitate a power cable to service the unit.
“Access to the unit by members of the public is easily achieved at existing street level.
“Due to the very simple installation of the unit, the cabinet can be easily removed if required, and the existing small screw holes repaired with limited impact on the existing fabric.”
The application will now be advertised shortly.
