Loughbrickland’s Gate Lodge, a distinctive building fronting Scarva Street/Old Newry Road within the historic Whyte’s demesne, is to be converted from a meeting room to a physiotherapy clinic, however there are no plans to alter the character of the property.
The planning application for the change of use was lodged by Tumilty Design, Glenvale Road, Newry, on behalf of Niamh McGowan, Shinn School Road, Newry.
ABC Planning officers explained in their report they had no issue with the proposed change of use: “No works are proposed that would lead to the loss or cause harm to the character or setting of the historic park and garden.
“NI Roads have been consulted on the application, and have no issue of concern relating to road safety. [The change of use won’t] significantly inconvenience the flow of traffic.
“As this is an existing building, there will be no negative impact on the character of the area, and as no further development is proposed, the change of use of the building to a physiotherapy clinic will not erode the character of the area.
“There are no issues relating to integration as the building is in situ. The site lies within [a designated] Local Landscape Policy Area (LLPA). In this instance the proposal does not include works that would impact upon the LLPA.
“Following consultation with NI Water, they have advised that they have no objection to the proposal.”
