Plans lodged to convert former Armoy rectory stables into tourist accommodation

Front and side elevation of the proposed tourist accommodation facility at a former rectory in Armoy

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has received plans for tourist accommodation at a former rectory in Armoy.

The council recently received a planning application seeking permission to convert and reuse existing stables, including the addition of an extra floor, to create two two-bedroom tourist accommodation units near Ballinlea Road in the village.

According to an accompanying Design and Access Statement, the proposed units would be located within barns to the rear of a rectory building.

The site is surrounded by fields to the north, south and east, with Ballinlea Road to the west, and has a “mature parkland feel with a number of mature trees around the boundary as well as internally”.

Rear and side elevation of the proposed tourist accommodation facility at a former rectory in Armoy

“The main house is Drumtullagh House,” the statement added.

“It was the rectory for the minister at Drumtullagh Church. In the past this is where people would have gathered to meet with the minister.

“The brief for the site was to provide accommodation units within the existing barns, to secure a use for them, while keeping the form of the buildings and refurbishing them to maintain the rural character.

“The dwellings will benefit from solar gains naturally from their orientation but will also have high insulation standards. The planting around the site will also allow for local wildlife to continue to grow in this rural setting.

Site plan for the proposed tourist accommodation facility at a former rectory in Armoy

“Our proposal has been designed to look to the future, as we want to retain the quality of the rural setting, but bring it into the modern age with good levels of insulation and laid out to take advantage of the site’s orientation and aspects.”

At a Glance

Location: Near Ballinlea Road, Armoy

Proposal: Conversion of existing stables/barns

Development: Two two-bedroom tourist accommodation units

Works planned: Barn conversion and additional floor

Setting: Former rectory site at Drumtullagh House with mature parkland surroundings

Council: Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council received the planning application