A multi-million pound apartments development could be built on the site of a former 19th Century stately home in County Armagh, which was demolished two years ago amid protests from local residents.
Lakeview House, at Gibson’s Hill on the Gilford Road in Lurgan, was razed to the ground in September 2018.
Residents had previously lobbied against a housing development going up on the site of the historic home a decade previous.
Lakeview House had stunning features and boasted beautiful gardens.
The site has remained as it is since demolition.
But now a planning application has been brought forward to bring it back into productive use.
And as well as residential, there is a community element too.
There are plans too to restore the magnificent walled garden area as part of the proposals.
The application has been submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council in the name of Craigavon-based Endeavour Building Ltd.
The submission says the former Lakeview House had lain abandoned and vacant for a number of years.
And it adds: “Following a fire on the premises the burned remains of the Manor House were demolished and the site was cleared in 2018.”
The proposals – if approved – would see the construction of a residential development comprising of 15 apartments. This would take the form of four three-bedroom apartments and 11 two-bedroom properties. Each would have its own private amenity space.
A community building would also be constructed.
And the applicant is planning to create garden rooms, a communal courtyard and, in addition to the restored walled garden, there would be landscaped gardens too, with tree and hedgerow planting among the features.
Parking is provided on site – a total of 30 spaces and two disabled spaces – and the existing private laneway would be altered to provide passing bays.
According to a transport assessment form, the development would be “very well served by existing pedestrian, cycling and public transport facilities”.
And it says the proposed development will “not have a detrimental impact upon the noise generation or air quality in the surrounding area” or “have an impact upon the surrounding townscape, landscape and natural and historic environments”.
The proposals have now been submitted for consideration by ABC Council planners.
They are due to be publicly advertised next week.
