A long-derelict block of shops and offices in Portadown town centre is to be brought back into use as new housing.
The site – at 40–50 Church Street and 2a Carleton Street – has been approved for conversion to eight apartments following a planning application lodged with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council by studio sixty3, Portadown, on behalf of Martin Kelly of Gorestown Road, Dungannon.
The properties, at the prominent corner where Church Street meets Carleton Street, had previously been described as a mix of commercial and office accommodation and were marketed by Hannath as five ground floor retail units with first floor offices, extending to around 4,100 sq ft, with an asking price of £150,000.
Planning officers, in recommending approval, describe the buildings as a two-storey terrace with a painted rendered façade which “appears weathered with areas of staining, cracking and surface deterioration”.
The proposal is for a full change of use from commercial/office units to provide eight self-contained apartments, together with around 53m² of communal external space and a bin storage area to the rear.
Plans show six two-bedroom units, one one-bedroom and one three-bedroom apartment. Council officers note that all apartments meet or exceed internal space standards, with the smallest measuring 44.4m² – above the 35m² minimum.
Externally, the building will remain “largely unchanged”, with the main alterations at ground floor level where existing shopfronts and some doors will be removed and replaced with windows to mirror the pattern on the first floor. Officers conclude these are “modest” changes which “will not materially alter the overall character or appearance of the streetscape”.
The report states: “This is a derelict site with unoccupied shops and offices on it. As such, the proposed development represents the redevelopment of derelict land.
“The building on the site is not a listed building. The proposed development is not considered to result in the loss of an area or building of architectural or historic interest.
“The introduction of residential use at this location is considered appropriate and would not appear incongruous within the established urban context.”
A parking availability survey was carried out over five separate visits. It found “substantial parking capacity remains available, even during busier peak times”, and concludes that converting 40–50 Church Street to apartments “would not result in any significant adverse impact on local parking conditions, or on the amenity of neighbouring properties”.
All units will have access to a public street, with no apartments located wholly to the rear of the property. NI Water has raised no objections and has confirmed there is a public foul sewer with available capacity within 20 metres of the site.
Overall, planning officers state the development “respects the surrounding context and is appropriate to the character and topography of the site”, paving the way for the prominent corner block to be brought back into productive use.
