The relocation of a south Armagh village supermarket has paved the way for a new coffee shop on site.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have now dished up approval for Edentubber Developments Ltd at a mixed-use site in Jonesborough.
The former retail outlet will make way for the new coffee shop which will add to the facilities already housed on the village site.
A proposed change of use has been given the go-ahead, along with alterations.
The new coffee shop will be smaller – by just under a third – than the retail unit previously located there.
But it will bring a much-welcomed new outlet for villagers to enjoy.
The application had been made back in November 2024.
A design and access statement lodged at the time explained: “The proposal seeks to utilise the building left vacant following relocation of supermarket to adjacent site, under applicant’s control.
“The proposal is for change of use with alterations to reduce the existing footprint. In keeping with adjacent buildings it is proposed to clad the roof and upper walls of the new café in coloured architectural cladding panels with painted smooth render below.”
DfI Roads had “no objections in principle”, nor did NI Water.
Environmental Health also had “no objection in principle”, but advised that the premises “must comply with Food Safety and Health and Safety legislation” and the applicant “must register their premises with the Environmental Health Department”.
Planning officials said the proposed new coffee shop would be “located within a clustered forecourt with associated parking which has varying uses”.
It adds: “An existing off-licence is located here as well as a hot-food takeaway, in addition to other uses, including a laundrette, located within the parking forecourt.”
Planners, in their report, state: “This application proposes a series of external interventions as well as internal reconfiguration, to alter the existing building rather than proposing a comprehensive demolition and reconstruction approach.”
They add: “Whilst cumulatively works proposed represent a comprehensive remodelling of the building externally, as well as associated internal reconfigurations, the works proposed are appropriate within this context would result in the building having a more active frontage facing the road.
“The proposed resulting contemporary design, would have a positive relationship with the neighbouring modern retail units.
“In the context of the applicable relevant policy framework as outlined, the proposed change of use from retail to café, is appropriate within the settlement boundary in a central location within the village.
“Owing in part to the neighbouring retail units, the change of use would not unacceptably impact the vitality and viability of the local centre or the need for local retailing.”
In terms of parking, planners state that the existing off-street parking would be retained within the adjacent forecourt.
Their report explains: “This would serve a range of existing uses in addition – the existing off-licence, takeaway and other uses. Additional capacity would be available on the neighbouring retail units’ parking area units – 38 spaces; which is within the applicant’s ownership, as well as the adopted streets outside of the site.”
The applicants will now be notified of the decision to approve.
