Former Lurgan bookshop to become coffee shop seating area
A former Faith Mission bookshop in Lurgan is going to be converted into a seating area for an existing coffee shop.
The planning application for the premises at 21 High Street was lodged by PJ Design, Bridge Street, Lisburn, on behalf of Ryan McCann, 21 High Street, Lurgan.
ABC planning officers explained in their report that the proposed change of use was compliant with all relevant policies.
“The site is a former Faith Mission Bookshop. The property is a ground-floor unit within a two-storey terraced building currently used as storage space to the adjoining café known as ‘The Mill’ to its rear,” planners said.
“The bookshop unit is currently vacant, with an external door opening and large shop-front window on the front elevation facing High Street.
“Internal alterations include knocking through a portion of internal wall between the existing coffee shop into the new seating area, i.e. the former bookshop, and door widening.
“The entrance and front façade will remain as existing, and any signage is subject to a separate planning application consent.
“It is not considered that the proposed change of use would create a harmful over-concentration of coffee shops at this location, given this proposal if for the extension of seating only to an existing coffee shop.
“The application site is in close proximity to High Street Methodist Church, which is of special architectural or historic interest and is protected.
“Historic Environment Division (HED), (Historic Buildings) has considered the impact of the proposal on the listed buildings, and on the basis of the information provided, advises that [they] are content with the proposal as presented.
“Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council’s Environmental Health Department (ABC EHD) has reviewed the information submitted with this application, and a site visit carried out.”
The planning report continued: “During the site visit, the applicant advised that this proposal is for additional storage space, an office, and extra customer seating/waiting space.
“The cooking facilities, extraction system and flue are to remain unchanged, and there are currently no plans to change opening times. Therefore, Environmental Health has no objection in principle to the proposed development.
“This will bring a vacant building back into use. The proposal will not adversely affect the character of the adjacent listed building. Approval is recommended.”