Two-bedroom barn conversion at 300m South east of 21 Cargabane Road, Newry

What was proposed

The application proposed converting an existing barn into a two-bedroom dwelling.

“Description of Proposal Conversion of existing barn to form two bedroom dwelling…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The two-storey barn stood outside settlement limits, at the end of a long laneway from Cargabane Road.

“Characteristics of the Site and Area The application site comprises a two-storey barn and surrounding lands. The site is accessed via a lengthy laneway from Cargabane Road. The application site is located outside any defined settlement limits.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the barn was not locally important and there were no overriding reasons for a countryside dwelling.

“No further justification has been provided as to why this barn should be considered a locally important building. The building is of a mix of brick and concrete block construction with a barrel roof at first floor level consisting of metal sheeting. An external staircase allows for access to the first floor. There are numerous window and door openings on three sides of the building.”

“Neighbour Notification Checked: Yes Summary of Recommendation: Refusal Reasons for Refusal: The proposal is contrary to the Strategic Planning Policy Statement and Policy CTY1 of Planning Policy Statement 21, Sustainable Development in the Countryside in that there are no overriding reasons why this development is essential in this rural location and could not be located within a settlement.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Consultees raised no objections, with conditions provided by DFI Roads and approval recommended by NI Water.

“July 2025 Date of Press Advertisement: October 2024 ES Requested: No Consultations: • DFI Roads- No objections to the proposal, conditions provided. • Environmental Health- No objections. • NI Water- Approval recommended. • NIEA- WMU and NED refer to standing advice.”

Officer report

Residents’ views

No neighbour representations, objections, support letters or petitions were received.

“Representations: None received Letters of Support 0.0 Letters of Objection 0.0 Petitions 0.0 Signatures 0.0 Number of Petitions of Objection and signatures…”

“Summary of Issues: No objections from consultees, no representations or objections from neighbours have been received. Amended plans (design changes) were received during the processing of the application but the changes were not considered significant enough to require the application to be re-advertised or neighbours re-notified given the siting of the subject structure and distance to any adjacent property.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent and Councillor Taylor spoke in support, arguing that the barn had historic interest and met the relevant conversion policy.

Members’ debate

Members debated whether the barn’s age, surviving features and historic farmyard connection made it locally important under planning policy.

“Councillor Hanna queried what merited a building being labelled as “significant,” asking whether this was a matter of the planning officer’s opinion or if specific criteria applied, noting apparent conflicts within the policies.”

“[name withheld] explained that the SPPS was the prevailing policy, as set out in paragraph 1.12, which stated that where conflicts exist between retained CTY policies and the SPPS, the SPPS carried greater weight regarding the principle of development. He noted there was no exhaustive list of locally important buildings, as each application was assessed on a case-by- case basis.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application contrary to the officer recommendation, saying the barn contributed to the area’s character and supported sustainable farming development.

“Councillor Hanna proposed overturning the recommendation and grant approval, stating that Councillor Taylor had highlighted all relevant elements, that the barn contributed to the character of the area despite its location, and that its 80-to-90-year age made it significant. He emphasized that supporting the farming community through sustainable development of a building on the farm would benefit the area.”

“AGREED: On the proposal of Councillor Hanna, seconded by Councillor D Murphy, it was agreed to issue an approval in respect of planning application LA07/2024/1088/F contrary to officer recommendation as contained in the Case Officer Report.”

Minutes