Portadown: approval of plan to modernise Town Hall heating system with 'no impact on listed building'
Planning permission has been granted for the replacement of an old oil-fired boiler at Portadown Town Hall, and for listed consent to be approved.
Speaking at the January 7 ABC Planning & Regulatory Services committee meeting, senior Planning officer, Nicola Creaney said: “These applications seek full permission and listed building consent for the removal of an existing oil-fired boiler plant and enclosure.
“The provision of mains gas boilers at two locations within Portadown Town Hall [is also sought], within the existing ground-floor boiler room and within an existing ground-floor WC in the north side of the building, [as well as] the replacement of a boiler flue installation and associated works.
“There are no objections raised by any of the consultees, in terms of the principle of development. This is really considered minor works and there’s no impact on the listed building.
“The proposal complies with all relevant planning policies. The recommendation is to approve the full application and the listed building consent.
“The flues are going to be coming out of the building, but they’re in the rear of the town hall, in the newer extension, [although] the overall building is listed.
Committee chair, Cllr Kevin Savage (SF, Banbridge DEA) remarked: “It’s clear that it needs fixed. I think we just need to go to the proposal stage with this one, because it’s something that urgently needs done, and it’s now the time to do it.”
Cllr Julie Flaherty (UUP, Portadown DEA) commented: “There’s a whole lot that needs urgently done in Portadown Town Hall. So, if this is the start of getting some work done to Portadown Town Hall, and maybe getting us up the capital plan a wee bit, then I propose this and many other things that need done in Portadown Town Hall.”
Seconding the recommendation to approve the new boiler installation, Cllr Kyle Moutray (DUP, Portadown DEA) said: “It’s a very straightforward application that just seeks to modernise the heating system there.
“And in a similar vein, I hope to see more investment in Portadown Town Hall. I’m content that there’s going to be no adverse impact on what is an important listed building in the town centre.”
Similarly, the recommendation to approve listed building consent was proposed by Cllr Flaherty, and seconded by Cllr Moutray.
François Vincent, Local Democracy Reporter