Green light for new extension to Tyrone Orange hall

PLANNING permission has been granted for an extension to an Orange hall in Tyrone.

The extension at Moree Queen Elizabeth II Orange Hall at Annaghquin Road, near the village of Rock, will be used for storage purposes.

In their report, Mid Ulster District Council planning officers stated they had no issue with the application.

“The existing building on site is used as an Orange Hall and features a simple rectangular floorplan and a pitched roof with a 5.8m ridge height.

“The building is single storey in height and measures 18.3m in length and 6.7m in width. The proposal is for an extension to the rear of the existing community hall, known as Moree Orange Hall, to facilitate the storage of equipment.

“The policy states that planning permission will be granted for non-residential development in the countryside for a necessary community facility, to serve the local rural population.

“As the proposal is for an extension to the existing community hall, I am content it meets the criteria for a necessary community facility. The proposed store is located to the rear of the hall, and measures approximately 12.7m in length, 2.4m in depth and 3.2m height.

“The proposed ridge height sits approximately 2.6m lower than that of the existing building, and having considered the scale of the proposal, alongside its proposed placement to the rear of the building, I am content that it will not dominate the existing building.

“Overall, I am content that the proposal will not detract from the character of the existing hall or the surrounding area. I am content that this proposal will allow the continued use of this building for community needs.”

The recommendation to approve the planning application was proposed by SDLP councillor Christine McFlynn at a recent meeting of the council’s planning committee and seconded her party colleague Councillor Kerri Martin.