A 19th century church of “high heritage risk” has been approved for development into a sandwich bar.
Plans for the Church of Ireland building were signed off by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council this week, April 22, without debate.
The gothic Jonesborough building is grade B2 listed, but has faced no objections from a Stormont consultee dedicated to protecting historic buildings.
A letter, in September 2025, on the NI Planning Portal from the Department for Communities’ reads: “Historic Environment Division (HED), Historic Buildings, has considered the impacts of the proposal on the listed buildings and on the basis of the information provided, advises that we are content, subject to conditions.”
The conditions outlined include tree protection and the use of specific materials for development of the building. The church is proposed to be changed into a sandwich bar/coffee shop/restaurant with the use of council adjacent car park and extension accommodating kitchen and toilets.
The HED letter adds: “The listed church at Jonesborough is recorded as being at high risk on the Heritage at Risk Register.
“We welcome proposals to bring the building back into use. The agent has provided a helpful revised design and access statement, covering issues raised previously.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted the applicant’s agent for comment.
Independent body, Ulster Architectural Heritage works to protect Heritage at Risk in Northern Ireland.
A spokesperson told the LDRS: “The former Church of Ireland at Church Hill, Jonesborough, has been a long-term presence on the UAH/DfC Heritage at Risk Northern Ireland (HARNI) Register.
“Vacancy and lack of use are amongst the most significant risks to our heritage buildings, and our HARNI assessment in 2022 noted some of the early warning signs that can quickly lead to deterioration, such as slipped slates and uncleared gutters.
“Whilst the specifics here are for the planners to determine, we would be extremely pleased to see a use found for the church, so that this important building can be marked as a ‘save’ on the HARNI register, and ultimately, can continue to provide character to the landscape and a useful resource to the community.”
