Residential housing has been approved close to the ruins of a historic church in Co Tyrone despite previous concerns development would impact the site.
Planning approval has been granted for 47 dwellings on lands immediately north and east of 1 Old Rectory Park in Cookstown.
The housing will be built close to Derryloran Church, the remains of which date back to 1622, though it incorporates stonework from an earlier medieval church building.
According to the Department for Communities (DfC), it is a major historical landmark occupying the site of a “pre-Norman church associated with St. Luran”.
The department’s website adds: “The building continued in use as a parish church until 1822, when it was abandoned for the new church in the town. The surrounding graveyard is still used for burial.”
The approved residential scheme was lodged by Hayley Dallas, King Street, Magherafelt, on behalf of T. H. Sinnamon, Killyharry Road, Castlecaulfield.
The DfC’s Historic Environment Division (HED) had concerns with the original planning application, as they were of the view the proposed housing development would impact negatively on the site.
An amended layout addresses some of the concerns of HED, and Mid Ulster District Council planning officers are now content with the proposal.
Planning officers state in a report that the site of the development “is an area of waste ground located immediately north of Old Rectory Park”.
“It consists of what can only be described as waste ground which is currently overgrown with scrub vegetation,” the report states.
“The site slopes downwards to the north towards the Ballinderry River and an area of dense vegetation along that river bank.
“Immediately to the north west there are the ruins of Derryloran Church of Ireland, which is a monument in state care.
The report adds: “Historic Environment Division (Historic Monuments) have been consulted on this proposal and responded to request a visual impact assessment, including photo montages to be submitted, in order to allow them to assess the impact of the development on the church and its setting.
“These were submitted by the agent and sent to HED for their consideration. HED responded to say that they had concerns about the impact of the proposal on the church and its setting.
“The revised layout has vastly improved this situation by lessening the impact of the development on the church/monument. This has been accepted by HED.”
