Historic buildings in the centre of Gilford – described as being “in a very poor state of repair” – could be demolished and rebuilt to provide two new shops.
The properties in question are located at 3-7 Mill Street, and are formerly home to Moffetts Newsagents, run by Roger and the late Eileen Moffett.
Located directly opposite the Castle Bar and Off-Sales, the properties were built close to 200 years ago but do not have listed building protection.
And, given their current condition, the intention is to raze them to the ground in favour of a new mixed-use development.
The two-storey replacement would see the provision of two retail units at ground floor level and a one-bedroom apartment at first floor level.
An internal bin storage area also features in the plans.
Proposals have now been drawn up in the name of Mr Tamer Badawi, off Drogheda, and submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for consideration.
According to a concept statement, the buildings as they stand are of “masonry construction with pitched natural slate roofs”.
It explains: “The existing buildings to be demolished are not listed buildings. They were constructed sometime between the 1830s and 1860s. They have been significantly altered over the years and are currently in a very poor state of repair.”
And the concept statement adds: “Internally, the buildings are in a very poor state of repair and there has been significant alterations to the plan form. A number of walls and staircases have been removed in the past. The extremely poor state of repair of the roofs has resulted in the collapse of ceilings and floors in a number of locations.”
The buildings “make no material contribution to the distinctive character of the area”; the “fenestration on the rear elevation and on the first floor of the front elevation has been lost”, and the “historic shopfronts, which had detailed surrounds, have also been lost”, and their “demolition will have no adverse impact on the distinctive character of the area”.
Proposed elevation for Mill Street in Gilford
The concept statement details what is planned: “The proposed development is a significant improvement to what currently exists and it will actually enhance the distinctive character of the area.
“The proposal makes use of traditional or sympathetic forms and high-quality building materials, which respect those found within the Area of Townscape Character.
“The finishes comprise pitched natural blue black slate roofs with clipped eaves, black extruded aluminium gutter with black cast iron rainwater pipes, a mixture of white painted sliding sash windows and dark grey powder coated aluminium windows, painted timber shopfronts and doors and white painted rendered walls.”
The existing buildings are “currently vacant but were last in retail use on the ground floor with a vacant apartment on the first floor”, all of which are deemed to be “in a very poor state of repair”.
“The proposed building will continue these uses with two retail units on the ground floor and a single apartment on the first floor.
“This is a mixed-use development with only one residential unit. It therefore does not meet the threshold for requirement of public open space. The proposed residential unit replaces the existing first floor vacant apartment, which had no private amenity space.
“The proposal provides for a 4.67m² first floor terrace. It should be noted that the site is within Gilford town centre and is in close proximity to the River Bann public walkway and Stramore Park.”
The concept statement says the mixed-use development “respects the uses in the building it replaces and also the buildings in the surrounding area”.
There is a vacant single-storey retail unit abutting the site to the south at 1 Mill Street and a mixed-use building abutting the site to the north, which comprises Riverside Apartments and Riverside Shopping Mall.
A car park is located to the rear of the site and therefore “there will be no overlooking, loss of light, overshadowing, noise or other disturbance of adjacent land uses”.
Urging planners to approve the application, it concludes: “The proposed development is a high-quality, sustainable mixed-use scheme that will regenerate a vacant underused site.
“The proposed development is a significant improvement to what currently exists on site and it will enhance the distinctive character of the Area of Townscape Character.”
The proposals will now be advertised shortly.
