Plans have been lodged to transform an old church in south Armagh into a sandwich bar and restaurant.
The former Church of Ireland building, at Church Hill Road in Jonesborough, was originally built in 1866 to replace the previous building dating to 1732.
Constructed to replace a church originally built in 1732 and re-built in 1772, the Lanyon, Lynn and Lanyon building opened for worship in September 1866.
Due to decrease in the local Church of Ireland population, it was closed in 1991. Sold the following year, it has lay empty ever since.
It was placed on the market “for sale as seen” back in 2022.
And it could now be set for a new lease of life with plans lodged with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council to restore and extend the premises.
Plans for the new cafe and restaurant have been submitted by Don Ryan.
A design and access statement says the proposal will not impact on the original church building, complementing its form and scale “in a contemporary use of material whilst remaining subservient”.
It adds: “The proposal will make a positive contribution to the character of the area and the local community and a whole and is unlikely to raise any concerns.”
Planners will now consider the application and a decision will likely be made later in the summer.
