PLANNERS have granted a two-year extension to planning permission for a church building in Ireland's cradle of Christianity.
They had initially refused an application to retain the pre-fab pastoral centre at St Patrick's Road in Saul, Co Down, beside the church of the same name and accompanying parochial house.
Both the latter buildings have protected status and planners had argued that the application did not reflect their style.
Earlier `temporary' planning permission, granted in 2016, was due to lapse.
Planners had objected to the initial decision to grant permission, with the Historic Environment Division of the Department for Communities among the objectors.
It had eventually been passed on the understanding that a "permanent, more appropriate solution to the accommodation needs of the parish", according to the Down Recorder.
However, pressure was brought to bear by politicians, including St Patrick's parishioner and SDLP councillor Gareth Sharvin, who argued the centre was "essential for the well-being of a broad community base".
Yesterday, a council spokeswoman confirmed the permission had been extended.
"Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Planning Committee, at its last meeting on Wednesday August 1, voted to extend the planning permission for the temporary pastoral building at Saul for a further two years," she said.
When asked if the temporary permission would transition into permanent consent, she said: "The planning permission has been extended for a further two years after which the planning approval expires."
