Omagh Lonservation Area

Deparrment of the i I ?

OMAGH CONSERVATIONAREA

A, INTRODUCTION B, OMAGH" S T O R K DEVELOPMIZNT C. DESCRIPTION OF THECONSERVATIONAREA D. THEDESIGNATION E. CONSERVATION AREA POLICY F. DESIGN GUIDELINES

1. Financial Assistance 2. LisWBuSlding 3. Glossary of Technical Terms 4. BibMogmpby and Legislation 5. Acknowledgements

'INIS BOOKLET WAS PREPARED BY EITH G ~ BSc DipOArch -A,~ MANOR M m § ,IN ASSOCIATION WlTH THE DEPARTh4ENT

1 Omagh ConservationArea

INTRODUCTION

The Planning (Northem Ireland) Order 1991 provides legislation for .the protection of the Provinces heritageof buildings ofspecial mhitec-ruralor historic intenestand for the Mienof whole areas of simitar interest, the c-ter or appmmee of which it is desirableto preserve or d m c e .

Since 1977,six ComenationAres have been designatedwit4h the Ornagh Division of the DepamentsTown and Country Planning Service - Sion Mills, Moneymore, Caledon, Moy, Emhkilkn and N e w t o w a w a , It is fitting that Omagh, the county town of Tyrone, shouId now have the added stamsaf a ConservationAtea.

Co~l~ervatioaseeks to consewe and enhance the town5 architechlrsl andhistoric character and presem the individual buildings and groups of building on which that c h k r depends. M seeks to promote an &-&g of &e value of our Wt heritage and engure its continuity by emour-@g sensitive develapment which respects its ethos without wcessarily replicating the past.

Recently there has beenrenewed interest in the concept of Consewation Areas. This reflects a growing recognitionofthe ptenial of Comenra-tiDn policy in securinga range of indirect benefits by adoptinga positive promotiMEal approach to comewhg the historic and architectural hefitageof a town or village. The role ofConser-vation heas in economic regmeratian, not only h u g h tourismbut ;also by fostering a greater sense of civic pride, is now widely recophecl.

Omagh is situated along the North West Passage to& mute aad nearby are the major attractions of the Ulster American Folk Park and the Ulster History Park. As a Consexvation Area it would have the potential to develop and m tvisitors in its own right.

The task of comrviogthe heritage of Northern @land m o t be left soleiy to Government Dqartmentsand a sprlnkhg ofvoluntaryMes and responsible mnsewationists.The message that conservation in Northern Ireland is the concern of everyone must hherefoze find its way intinto public and voluntary bodies9intd schoofs, factoriesand shops rmd into the hornof every citbn.

TheSUcCmS of Omagh c~a~e~at i~nh a-thempport of the people of Omagh and tbe concern and co-opemion of all who own or occupy propwty witbin the area,particularly those who wish to carry out newdevelopaent, alterationsand repairs:

3 Omagh Conserration Area

OMAGH'S HISTORIC DEVELOPMENT

15th century - the O'Neills

The comparatively recent history starts in the 1430'~~when the most powerfu1cIm in County Tymne - the Q'Nellis af Dungannon -extended their territory to indude Omagh. It is generally accepted fhat the ancientcastleof theOiN& built by Art O"NeiI1,gave its name to the town ('Oigh Uaigh' or seatofthechief). Research has shownthat the Q'Neill Castle,probably Omagh's fitslpieceofarchitecture. was rnnsaucted at the lower end of Marlret Street and not, as Iras been suggested,at tbe top of thebill where the CO#-house now stands. TheAnaals of the Four M a s m m r d s the caphue of a castle in 1471, presumably the sameO'Neill "Castle of Chey" that was strengthenedin 1498before its destruction by English forces in 1538.

The FranciscanFriarsoftheThird Order Regular were coatempo*rriesofthe O'Neih. They resided away from lthe Castle, at the topofthe town, in the area now known asAbbey Street It isrwsonabie to assume that Omagh's second piece of architec-ture was the stone built Friary at Abbey Street. Thus the names Abbey aud Castle S m t are all that remainto recall the town's history,stretching back to the 15th and 16thcenmries.

Omagh Conservation Area p--

17WlSth centmy- the Plantation of Ulster

As a Disrrict orBarony, Omagh only really started to expand in 1609 with the Piantation. TheBmny of &n9gh was granted to George Aadley, later Lord Castlehsvea Audley failed to conformto the conditiansof the grant andsettle a svffcient number of EnglEsh, and asa mult the town and district were given to Captain Edmundbigb. He and his brothers bad lived in Omagh through the CYNeill rebellian and,previously, in 1603 the Friary and smundiag acres had been given to m,

In 1505, Captain high stztsted building a fort somewhere in the vicinity ofthe 16thCenmry Franciscan Eriary. The fort was wded with lime awl stone and wasabout 30 feet L& with the River Stntle onone side and a deep diwh about the restThou@ m n d e p d in the 1641 n=bellion,it was ad11tenable in the 1650s and was held and then b m e d by retreating Jacobites in 1689. Before that time, the growth of Omaghas a town bad been slow; only mirehouseholds existed in 1666.

In 1605 a fort was buidt in the Omagh's second fire occurred in May 1742 a vicinity ofthe FrmrciscanFriary "mischiefmcaslCaslonedby the carefessness ofa

semnt -d, in thruwing out cinders". fifty four dwellings were consumed "aceprthe C h w h , the Gad and Court house, Dr Hudson's, Mr ChrisryS and afew cabins".Not one person died. but the cost of the fire was a s W e d at £20,000 at that time. Practicallyall the old landmarks were obliterated- the only structure that predates the fire, and still remains, is King James bridge. Out of the ashesofthe 1742 flames the present fom of Oms2gh was born

By 1768 it had ~ s m e d ,from Bungannon, the statusof County Town,

3nzaph ConservationArea S

19th-20thCenturies: the Vlctorhn Era

With the river an one side and swampy ground on the other, it was inevitable that the townkcame compact, even cramped, by the timeof the Victorian Era. New crossing points were needed to open up the hinterlandand faditate mc.

Campsie Bridge was built in 1836 and housing s p ~ a deastwards with the laying outofCampsie Crescent.BelIs Bridge had been opened earlier, in 1819. Abbey Bridge was developed in 1900, providing a vital link between Sedan Avenue, Abbey Street and the area to the north of the town.

When Queen Victoria ascended the throne, the population of Oma@ was 2,2I1, living in a total of 715 houses. By mid-Victorian times, it had incleasedby 50% to 3,485 persons and "the footpathsof ihc principal streets (had) ...been Bridge Street in Victorion times(LawremcCollection)paved with best Caithnessflegs which vastly improved the appearance of the town ".Another

In 1850 gas street lighting improvementwhich took place in 1850was the was introduced introduction of pstreet fighting.

Omagh is centdly situatedin an extensive agricultural district and historically its chief industries were agricuiturally-related.Its old marketsare evidence of this:the Potato Market in Bridge Street (now Old Market Place); the Butter and EEu Market, near Campsie Bridge; the Corn Market situated near the railway stationand the Cattle Fair5held on the first Saturday in each In many provincial Ulster t o m tbe arrival of tbemonth on theFair Green which stretched from Kevlin Road to the top of Gallows Hill, south-east

milway, during the mid-Vicrorian Era, signalled a

of Trinity PresbyterianChurch. Other industries time of prospetig and p w t h and Omagh was no

included tobacco mmufacntring,b m h e n and exception. The railway spelt tfie death blow to the

stagecoach.The railwaya brewery which was iarer converted into Scotts

D u b l i n / L o r ~ d o ~

the Potato M&t in ExceIsior Mills, milling grain. itself closeddewn in 1%S, 113 yea% afkr it had

Bridge Street openad.

8 Omagh Conservation Area -

DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSERVATIONAREA

A general descriptionof Omgh hthePaditamen-hry Gazetteer ofIreiand 1834-1 844 states:-

"Thegrowuipion w outljru!ofthe fawn may be represented by the&er Y: rhe Muin Sweet (now High meet and Market speet) beingfigured by the trunk ofthe letter; aRd the only other swb streets ofany importance (RDW J o h Street d George's Street1 hy @gg m ur#rambesJ'=.

Theboundariesoftodays Comemation Area respect and follow thestreet shape of that early 19thC ~ U W'r'which, to all htent~and pm-poses, repsents the comrrnerc:ialand historic heart of Omagh.

The River S W on the noFth side,I)nrmragh Avenue /Dublin Road to the east and the service roadto the south, act as clearly definedfeatan% for theboundary of the ComaGon Area. Elsewhe~e,the Line follows thebacks of buildings and garden plots, but oved l theConsentation Area is containedwithin the envelope of the designatedTown Centre.

The "Y"outline is clear& visiblefrom the air.

TheArea canbe broken down into four @n parts, each with a distinctivecharacter in terms of land use, scale and pbysicat farm:

(1) the rimin street (Highs e t and upperMarket S-); (2)theChurches Area (John Street, Jaraes Street, Church Stw5 George's S m t and Casde Street); (3)G d Square; (4) the Saule River and anvimns.

9 Omagh Consew~onArea

(I) Themain street

From the east, tbe &a enmce into the Conser-v&on his well definedby themjor mad junction ofDmnmgh Aveuue and Market Street. 'h?readnarrows at the two corner buildings (41 aad 54 Market Street), leaving Mind the busy madjunction and mending the hill, with impres-sive buildings on either side. This is the most impartantentry into the taw bec&useic displays to the viewer what isessentially the special characterof the main s m t - the relationship between the height of the buildings,predami-nantly 3 starey, and the width of the street.

The p d sw~epiflgstylaof upper Market Sfnxt and HIigh Street is matched by the stepped rooflink which the eye-upthe iii.me vista culminates in the outline of themajestic Court House and the Sacred Hem Church. High Street and upper Market S t m t m thearchitectural spine of the consemdon Area and Wingthe main thomugWmthey ovmhzldaw the 2shorterside saeetg - !karffe's Entry and Bridge Srreet, nmning off at right angles.

l0 O m a a Conservation Area

As High Street ascends. thelgrandeur of ifs buildings seems to increase

Nos 31-33 Markt Street display tk i r WWmodset Imo o redb ~ i c k f a c d ILawretlce CoII~ctwn)

Market Street doesnot have fhu quality of 19th century buildingswhich m to be found in its continuation - High Street. Themhitectvre improves at the lower southern end with two, late 19th century, 3 storey blocks. Nos.25-29Market Street have bold quoins and ornamentalstring courses extending into window surrounds at first floor level, while Nos. 31-33 (F?o 31 formerly occupied by the Bank of hiand) display their Courjhswe hill was once the ornmmtal window summ& set into a redbrick setting q f t k Ht'rbrg Fair facade.

Eiigh Street is the principal street of the town and contains the best commercial buildings and the highest cancentration of Iisted buildings. As it climbsuphill from Bridge Street, the grandeur of its buildings =ems to iacmw with the ascent. Thus its commencement at its eastem end is ofa CairIy modest nature - standardstreet width flanked by a mixtm of two and three storey buildings. As the street wends the hill, thereare a number of good quality public buildings such as theAnglia Building Society,UlsterBankthe Tyrone County Club, Allied Irish Bank and on the opposite side of the sneet, the fonner Provincial Bank of h h d , nuw office ~ c c o m W o n .

Premises fmnting €hemain street were laid out with the typical long back gardens of many Irish t o m . Oa the south side they have been devel-oped as access roads,car pwh and for retail uses; on the north sick they extend down to the River Strule.

As High S m t approachesthe Courthouse it funnelsout in width to form the triangular forecourt of this most impressive building,designed in the d y 19thcentury by John Hagrave. In its dominatingposition the Courthouseoverlooks the street in bob a physicd and mhitsc-turaIsense,It was buitt in 1824 on the site of the old gaol with a matching long wing to the south, addedbyWJB.minl863.TII.

Courthousehill was once the setting of the Hiring Fair and up until 1%5. contained the elegant bronze Boer WarMemorial, now relocated to Drumgh Avenue.

Omagh Conservation Area

The churches atad their spires dominate the skylinefor a wide area (Smn Smart)

(2) TheChurches Area

The vista ofHigh Street ends abnrptIy at the Conrthouse. Btanching out at either side and f o d q thearmsof the"Y"areJohn Srreet and George's Stneet. These arms containthe Churches Area and h u s e of their narrownessoffera contrastin8 sense of enclosure..

The Churches hhas a s@at architecimd quality due to its fureurbaacharacter. Irs identity, occupying the physical as well as the spiritual high p m d of the town, i s reinforced by its topogra-phy. By whicheverapproach road is wed into the Churches Area - Castle Sweet, High Street or James Street - the viewer is swept up in a dramatic climb, This drama is further heightened by the spires of the churches which soar above the roof tops.The church and their spites darninate the skyline for a wick area bath inside d outside the m m

the right, ones eye is Idup the hill to 1-10 larrtes Street which further closes the aspect aad contains the street.

John Street t m n h t e s at its westem end with Trinity Fwbyterian Chmb and Hall, built in 1854of rubble stone construction.Here, the Cowemation A m boundary follows the stone bouadary wall of the church grounds. At thejunction of John Street and Jarnes Street. the spacesuddealy opens out in al)dimtionswith Trinity hbyterian Church and the Methodist Chnrch hcaming dominant features.

NUSi-I O J m s SW aspmq f J d h$met

closes the

John S h t

Leaning behind rhe busy main sueet, John Street cutves gently and the buildings have a pIeasing symmetry of height and line. This characteroffers an insight into thebistoric development of Omagh. Here one sees 19thcentury,two storey domestic architecture with shopon the gromd floor and living accommodation above. The view fmm High Sma is iniriaUy closed by No I2John S W - the Ulster Herald office - and as the street curves to

John Street terminates at its ..rh

Theenclosurereappears atSt Columba's Church of Irelaad built in 1870by 1E Rodgers. It is a large,striking Church ina heavy Gofric style.

Movlng mrth frbmthe crest of thehill andpast the terrace of Nos, 4-12 lfburch Street, the view terminates in thetwinasymmetric-spired Church of the Sacred Heart (1893-1899 by William Hague). Tbis ambitiousand impressive piece of anchitectue visuaIly dominates thejunction of ChurchStreet, George!'s S W and Castle Street, formerly know as "TheDiamond"'.

Distinguishingfeatures of GBorge's Saeet and Castle S t w t are their aarrowaess and steepness -except at th~irmeeting point, where they open out in front of the Sacred Heart Chumh. For the

lk terrace of 1-10Jmnes Smeer pedes~rianwalkingup George's Street from High street, the§actedHeart Chmh ispartially

is included in the wesern h&ry (David EYMS)

obscured by the side of the couchweand the imposing terrace of Nos. 6-14 Georjp'sStreet. These buildings md the curving, gentledescent of the sneet heighten the viewer's senseof anticipa-tion.

JamesstreetlchurchStreet InCastleSaeetthescale of buildings is domestic

Two terraces, Q' ConnorTernandNos. 1-10 Jamas S W &ue iaciudsd witbinthe s o d westem h u c h y . The latteris a plain but pleas-

C& Street hasadomesricscale and is an exciting spatial experience

andless imposing. It is however, a more exciting spatid experience than George's S w t especially when windingup the slope.

ing 3 wrey Georgianterrace, while the former is a more modest 2 storey block raised above road IewL These tenaces combine with Trinity Church and its cast iron railings m provide visual smengh to the boundary, but afterthat, as one piogresses northwards, the sense of enclosureis lost

14 Omagh Conser " *---

(3) Gaol Square Omagh Gaol

Beyond Castle S m car park, the boundary extends due north,includingNa 10 Abbey Street at the corner of the roadjunction. Moving clack-wise it follows the cenme ofAbbey Street. Here the Conservation h a is fmnted by a continuous, mainly residential terrace which cwves around: the wmer into Barrack Lane. Again in the centre of the road (Barrack Lane) the boundary continues until the projection of the stonewail of St Lucia Barracks, which forms the nartbem bomdary of Castle Place.

On its elevated site, overlookingthe River S t d e Castle Place markg the northern end of the Comet-vation Area. A number of the dwellings are in multiple occupation and the non-Iisted ones mainly date &m the beginning of this century. They were built after the Gaol - originally built in

Mmfo-r ~ ~ k o w eIs listed and WCGScommpdrary W& the Gaol"

1796and extended in 1823 - was demolished.The octagonat 3 storey, stone built Governor'sHouse. and the former&arehow (numbered 7 & 12 Castle Place) are listed and were contempomy with the Gaol. The senseof enclosure within Zbe Old Gaol site is heightened on the southern approach by the gate houses' pointed entrance archway.

Knownas m e County Gaol,"it combined the old and new prison built in 17% and 1823. The new prison, of cut freestone. was semi-circular in form, fronlting anto Barrackb e , with the hexagonal Govemar's Houseat the centre. Both house and prison were 3 storeys high. Access intothe Gaol was along the line of CstIe Piace though the gothic arch between Nos 7 md 12 WtIe Place. The Governor's Houseoverlooked the yard contained by the sernicincutarrange of cells and other y d in the Old Gaol to the east.

In addition to the Governor's house and 7 and 12 Castle Place, a third surviving building, contemporary with the Gaoi, was the Tread Wheel, It wasused to raise water to the build-ing from a deep well adjacent to it and it is p m u d that it was used for the punishment of recalcitrant prisoners.

Omagh Conservation Area

(4) The River S t d e aad environs

Inhistorical terms. Omagh owes its existence to the confluenceof the two rivers Camowen and Dntmgh - a meeting point that the O'NeiU's consided an appropriate location for a settle-ment.

From Bell's ~lxidge,the rears of High Straet. George S Street and Casrle Street can be seen, As with many Irish towns built on rivers, Omagh &mimed by the win spires of the Sacred Heart Church (Smn Smart)

m m its back on rhe watercome and it has became an h o s t forgottenaspect of the tom. The rears of Market S~eetrHighStreet are to be clearly seen from tbeam of the Drumragh Avenue CarPark, From Bells Bridge the rearsof High Street, George's Street and Castle Street can also be seen, dominazed by the twin spires of the SacredHeart Church. Thebridge i s an important pedestrian route into thehemof Omagh. It is also the only listed stmchlre in the sub-atea and was builtinhe mly 19th century of cut stone with segmental aiches.

The river Strule has becoma an almost forgonm aspec; of the Tom.

Omagh Conservation Area 17 I

THEDESIGNATION

Notice is hereby giventhat the lhpmment of the Environment (NI),in p ~ r s m c eof powers con-f e d upon it by Article 50 of the Planning (NI) Order 1991has designated the moutlined on the accompanyingmap as a ConsewationArea being an area of special architectural or historic inkrest, the character ofwhich it is des'rrable ta preserve or enhance.

A map of h e designatedarea has beea deposited at the DWict CouncilOfficesand Evision&i PlaMing m c e 5 at itthe ad&= below:

Omagh District Council %Grange Mountjoy Road O M BTB 7BL

Telephone: (0662) 245321

mvi9i0~1maneingoffie County Hall Dolmgh Avenue OMAGH BT797AF

'Imagh ConservationArea

CONSERVATION AREA POLICY

The Department's policy is to conserve, improve and enhance fbe nature, gened appearanceand character of theConmation Area by exercising strict control over renovation,new deyelopnent and redevelopmentof the built fabric. Conserva-tion must emm tfie continuing life and function of the a m and be receptiveto change.

Toachieve this basic aim the policy has the following Oqjetives:

1. to pm- buildings and their smundings against neglect and decay;

2. to main& a d enhance tbe infxinsic character of the AFea, to reinstate elementsof detail which have k n neglectedor lost.to set off its features of merit and to protect and d c e views of, and within, the ConservationArea*

3. to considercarefully applicationsfor changesof use to ensm tbat they will not adversely affect the Area;

4. to consider ~ a f ~ f u l I ythe design of new build-ings, soastoemm that they respect the vernacu-lar tmlitian of the Anea;

S. ta identify areslswith potential for public works schemes, lncorpo&g surfacing of public areas, landscaping, m o v l of overhead wires and the provision of street furniture, including street lighting, bohds, wihgand litter bins;

6. to stimulate local interest and awareness in the importanceof consecvationaad to encourage support for cowmtian policies.

Omagh Conservation Area

Development Control

Development within the Conservation Area will be controlled with the primary aim of ensuringthe =tention of all that is important tothe Area's character. Every effort willh made to p m e the individualbuildingsand p u p s of buildings on which thatcharacter dqwnds. Thiscontrol will be ~~as follows:

l. where permission is sought to demolish or alter a building which has beenlisted under the Plan-ning (NI)OtQer 1991as being of special mhitec-turalor historic interest, it will be necessary to as^ that such works would, in themselves,

be m enhancement, or that theyace reqnired for ovet-riding and exoeptional reasonsrelalting to the: developmentof the

2, nnder the above legislation,the consent of the bpwtment is required if an owner wishes to demolish my ~~g within a ConservationArea which is not d m d y pracected by other mews;

3. new buiickgs will be expectedtotake account ofhcharacterof their neighbours. They should, in mess and outline, be sympathetic to the rhythm of the W t scene;

4. materids should foliow local usage in texture, colourarmd quality;

New buildings shoald be sympathetic to the rhythm of the street scene(0magh 18901

5. changes of use titat ase likely to have an adverse effect on land or building which contribute significantly to thecharacterof the Consewation Area will not nonnally be petmiw

6. applications for consent to display advertise-mentswill be judged on the positive effect they

will have on ?hevisual &mmof the Conserva-tion Area

7. the Department wU n o d l y expect planning applicatims in r e s p t of sites or buildings within the Conamation Area to submittedwitfi full details. They should show clearly, inplan and elevation, relationships to adjoining properties. This is to ensure, at the initial phmhg stage, that the development is acceptable in all respects totbe needs of the CoaservatimAn% It is desirable, also, hat applicants consult informal1y with the DivisionalPlaaning Ufftce, prior to the preparrt-tion of detailedplans;

8. development mear to the ConservationArea and visually related to it, should be sired and designed in fom, scale and materials that are inharmony with thebuildings and general appamce of the m;

9, under the terms of the PEanning (General Development) Order 1993certain typesof devel-opment do not require specificp W n g permis-sion. However, the D e p m n t has power under Article 4 of tbat Older todirect that in any paFticu-lar area these lypes of development quire the grant of planning permission. Such directions could be appliedwithin this Consemationh and

10. redeveIopment in the area of the old town can offer a rare opporhmity toswdy theremainsof tbe medieval, settlement. Theco-operation of devdop-ers in mmging investigationwithin the con-straintsof the proposed developmentwill be sought.In its considerationof pposals the Bepamnent willhave regard for h e mlweoiogi-cd implicationsof any devdoprnent within the area of the historic t o m

20 OmaghConsemation Area -

DESIGN GUIDELINES With the greater part of O q h ' S conmeccial core includedwithin the ConsewationArea, it is importantto ensm that h ecommercial activity is not s t E M asa result of the designation. RaW* business activity should be stimulate$ and en-hanced. Listad buildings, which represent a particular mhitecmralperiod or are associatedwith m historic event, shouid pfesewed unaltered

In order to provide the genemusfloor areas needed far modern retailing,it is expectedthat redevelopment in Omagh wiU not be confined to individual.narrow plots: comprehensive fedevek 0-pent- comprising several road hating plots md prtmps liukhg through totopwking facilitiescan be anticipated,

- H . - ' I -3

- Omagh ConservationA m

S d e , Form and Proportion

Omagh k+st low-tise tom - it has evolvedinto buildingsof 2 and 3 storeys. TheCourthouse. Sac& Heart and SrColumba's Churches domi-nate the bulilt environment,both from near and from afar.Any new buildings should take account of this and not intermpt ordominate views of these key smctact:~.

Generally speaking,new buildings should relate to their neighbourin terms of height, Three m 3'1, storeys k the maximumheight that will noffnally bepermitted in the ComemationArea. Adjoining btrlrdingsshould not be higher than 4 m e m &\re their neighbwrs i.e. 1l/, storeys in a level street. Where ridge and eaves of a building pmmtly step, this stepped effect should & mpduced in a replacement building, ratherfbm its lining through with ixljacent buildings. As a general d e ,in mlatlon to h e mass of a building. likeshould be ~eplar-edwith like, Except for p d e r buildings- public buildings, banks etc. -the tetracedform of the town is domestic - well relatmita human scale - with mainly 2 and 3 bay wide building. Doors and windows normally line h u g b vertically, diminishingin height with successive storeys.

Each terracedunit, vertical in proportion, has vertical door and window openings witbin it, with solid to void ratiosweighted in favour of the solid. The relationship of buildings, their widths and the disposition of door and window openings gives a strong sense of rhythm to the stteet facade.

The iexlstingform should be mtainedin nenovated buildiigs md eohoed innew develapment.Where a redeve10pment is 00mpreQensive -extending W& 2 ormare plots - itsekdanshouldcom-prise onit$of 2 or 3 bay widths, if nmemq, further Mmtjatedinstorey height, finishesor detailing.

The riverside setting is important to the Collserva-don Atea.Since the m can be viewed from a wide area, care should be taken with the design of new extensions.Extensions ornew buildings should w k to contribute pasitively towards the ConservationArea in terms ofdesign, materials and detailing.

Omagh Conservation Area

Colour

BuildingLine

The use ofmtowin ahy facade,whether new or mdeveloped,shouldbe applied toacbievea hamadous streetscape,Colourschemesshodd I&W u,and b m & with murrding build-ings. G e n d y , m d e dfmdes shadbe ~ t e d w h i t e , & w b t b e o r i n s u b i l e p a m e l ~ . Wmdow fhmeasaadglazingbats shwld be Wtedwhite, whileS- co1ourscanbe used for $om andsboplpub fmnts,

Mustbuildings flush-front tkback edge of tbe pavementrurd new buildinga should respectthis. Particularcareshoutdbe taken when -g new W g s onamersimairwe they hawtwo fscades,vIsibieattbesame~

Most buildings flush-fronr rhe back edge of the pavemenl

23

Windows

Omagh ConservationArea

Wmdow and window openings should reflect those existing in neighbouring buildings. Sliding sash windows, with a verticalemphasis, should n o d y be Ysed and existingdetaiI replicated. Solid to void ratios should always be weighted in favourof solid, and cills coastruckcl in either pwast concrete or in stone. with at least an 80mm leading edge.

There areanumber of examples of dormer windows in High Street and in John Street, Dormer windows will only be accepted where they fmn a featurewithin an existing group of biuildingsand infill &velopment is being under-taken. T h y should be of gabled roof design with decoraied orcarved barge boards and finials. reflectthe size and scale of those used elsewhere and should line through with the fenestration on the lower flaoss.Flat mf or leasto dormer windows are inappropriateand unacceptable.

Roofwindows or skylights should be rectangular with their longest side following the pitch of the m f .

There are some bay and oriel windows within the Gonmation Area. Their use in new buildshauld be limited to areaswhere their inelusion would complement and enhancetheoverall composition of a section of smet.

Renovations to existingbuildings should not involve the enlargingof existingwindow open- ings; their size and proportion should not be altered. Conversely, where the windows of an existingbuilding are presentiy of an inappropriate proportion and design,renovation work will present the opportunity m restore the windows or insert more suitable types. Mouldings, cornices, architravesand other decorative plaster work should be retained, repalredorreplaced as neces-sary, and incorpomted into the existing fmestta-tion. Windows should normally be timber, verti-cal, sliding, doable h u g sashes,to the original design dwith traditional, moulded sections. This should apply to all firstand second floor windows and ground floor of residentid proper-ties. PVC windows are not acceptable as they do not replicate the original components.

Omaah ConservationArcs

Doors in all new devetopmentsshould be of a mdltiona1panelled or vertically boarded design, as may be qppTiate. In some instances, glass may be substitutedfor solid panelling bnt large expanses of glass should be avoided. Fine exam-ples of panelzed doors mstill be seen in the Cmstmation Area and theirfarm should be reflected in any new &velopmenz Bolection mouldings always add refinement and shodd be i n e o r p o d hto panelled doors where appropriate. Doar knockers,letter boxes aad other door M m = should be msde of brass or cast iron and be. of a fitting periddesign, Wherere-developmentor reaovati~nwork is Wig undertaken, existing door furnitureshwld be ~tainedfor future use. Doors with integral fanlights are not acceptable, neither is the ~~place-ment of a traditionally wide door with a n m w door and side lights. The conversion of large,existing properties into small units will invariably necessimean increase h&or furnituresuch as letter boxes and intercom systems. Cmful consideration should be given to Lbors in new devslopmene their siting and appwan&.l shouldbeclfohadin'udpmdkd

design

Shops and other commercial fronts;

It is unfortunate that in recent yeas. a large numberof originaf shop and pub fronts in Omagh have disappeared to be replaced by insensitive PVC or aluminium, often two dimensional - i.e. without a messed doorway - and with illumimkd box sign fascia.

Therem,however, some traditionally designed shop and pub fronts remaining and a y renovation or altemtion work to their host buildings should strive to retain them. New shop and pub fronts, traditional in design, should relate hplot widths and not be carriedover i n t twoor more proper-ties. However, where a retaileroccupies two or more plot widths, visual continuity of ownership

- -I may kachievedby the use of similar fascias, colour or letter type ratherthan by a clontinnous

I fascia.

A new b a t should never dominate tbe street scene, should not overlap windows or obscure architecturalfeatures. It should relate in scale and character to its host building and to neighbouring commercial premises.

The use oflame expanses'A-

'.i of glass shoulz be *

avoided. Vertical glazing ban, mrzllioosand stallrisers should be introduced. Colours and finishes used for shop and pub fronts should be kept to a minimum and be as simple aspossible. PVC

and nmml-finish aluminiumare inappropriate and unacceptable materials for use within a Conservation A m The woodwork in doors and

windows should kpainted rather than stainedor varnished Although timber-- windows are preferable,colour coated a l d d u m may be acceptable.

The dimension from the floor level to flithe top of the shopwindow should be a minimumof a door and fanlight.

The classically-inspired the dimensionalform which should be a part of any shopfrontdevelop neat (seeP.33) are:

entablature- comprises a moulded cornice, which funerions as a visual stop; a fascia/€rieze which is the vertical slrrface of the shop sign md an architrave,possibly moulded, which defines the bottomof the sign, Theentablatureshodcl W in. propartion with the rest of the shopfront and indeed with the buildjng eIevatioa Console brackets have usually been a feature of designs in Omagh and these couldbe incorporated as a terminationfeature for the enhb1aQ.m;

pilesters are imitation rectangda-sectioncol-m,on eitherside of the shopfmt and areeither 8uW moufded or plain. They project from the wall aad v i W y support theentablature{or consolebrackets) above.They comprise 3 parts: the capital, wualIy moulded mdof the MC, Ionic or Tuscm order; the shaft orpilaster itself and a basic plinth and

sblfrkrsare the spacebeneath each shop window and can be mmmctedfrom blockwW render, in certain cases faced in ceramic tik or form an integral past of the shop window. h the lattercase, hey shouldbe coestru;ctedfrom plain or moulded timberand paintedin mappropriate COIOCET,not stained or varnished.

Omagh Conservation Area P--

r--

Signs andAdvertking Canopies and awnings should be of tbe traditional and n%ract&Ie typeand shoold prefetably spring

Traditionally, lettering is normally hand-paintedor of individual raised (appPquQ lettersor some-times messed and caved (and covered by a &sheet

from the lower edge of the fascia. Rigid canopies m inappropriate and n n ~ ~ l ewithin the ConservationArea.

of glass). Fascia lettering is always in scale and the clarity and Iegibity of the lemr type is a notable feature of existing signs.This tradition should be maintainedin new signage. Fascias should be used only to display the name, tradeand street numberof the business. Illumi-nated bax f ~ i asigns should be avoided in favour of discreetly sited spot or wash down Lighting. However. light or gold coloured lettering on a dark backpund canbe used insteadof lighting (the fitting ofwhich can become obtFusivel since light on dark cm be clearly oead Back-litindi-vidual letters can also be su~cessfuUyused, pnoducmg a 3dimerlsional effect. P r o j h g and haaging signs m y be conside& only at first floor level ifweb vdesiked and consistent with the general character of shop or pub Front. House styles wilt need to be mad'died to conform wit4 thecharacter of the Conservation Area.

In several insrmes, carriage arches have been adapted as pedestrimt mutes

Shutters, Canopies dAwnings

Shutters used rnay be of a modern or mdidonal Carriqe arches, giving rear accessm propedes, are a traditional feature in the ConservationArea.

RaIter shutters should be of lfthe Iattice rype colow mated mzd

variety. M d r n roller shutters, where used. should be of he perforared or lattice type, be colour coated and recessed behind the fascia. Channels should be flush with the window jamb or the b i d e face of the pilaster. Ta fix roller shuftess on the exteriorwall face above the window is unsightly and approval will not be grantea. As an alternative, removablewooden shutters with discmet fixings could be used.

Tbey mainiy occur asa simple lintel but semi-cincukr, semi-eliptic-aland gothic (pointed) versionsexist. h several instances they havebeen adapted as linkages for pedesrrisn routes. Ap-proval will not normally k givento close them up and where blocks of properties are being compre-hensivelyredeveloped,oppomities to imorpo-ratesuch details inthe design will be encouraged.

recessed behid thefascia

Omagh CollsewatjonArea

walls

In new development,materialschosens h l d be smooth ender, painred, lined or ualined,Where appropriate, aatPral stonecouldbecanside~d. -cid stone.rough cast plaster and pebble dash rtn: not acceptable. Since Omagh is not a brick town, brick will only be permid on replacement buildings where it was the originalmaterial.

Decorativestone and plasterdetails such as bmd'isailternate quoins a d keystones can add character and distinction to my new building. Where these are already intepl elements of m existing facade, they shouldbe retained or,if necessary, repaired or repiaced to the original design.

New mh,including those on building extensions shwld always h pitched. Theridge should be parallel with the street, and the pitch consi~tent with that OR neighbouringbuildings - g m d y within the rangeof 35"-45% Coverings should be in nararal slate or a realistic manufacntted slate-riven with featherd edges. Gables and eaves shouldfinish flush, withwt barge or fascia boards. Gutters showld be fixedonhooks or rise and fall b&km to a cantlnuous corbelledeaves. P m p t s and masonry eaves should be used only where srppmprkw - normally on grander buildings.

Where renovations tom existing building are being carriedout and chimneysare not req-they should be retainat replad or~ p to M maintainthe existing skyline and mfsc8pe. Chimneys and chimney pots will be required in new development Tbey should dtxt those on sumudngbuWmgs, either brick with a a W stone or moulded concrete cop@ or smooth plaster*pint& they rehouldbe three or four flues deep with appropriate hunching and detailhg. Where not neededfor heating. soil vent stacks could be d b m d through them, teminating at the chimney pot.

Omagh Conservation Area

Fire Escapes

Where fire eecapes ane requid, steps should be c o a ~within the existingbuilding envelopeor be part of a sympathetically designed tear exten-sion.

Burglar and Fire Alarms

Alarms should be unobmively sited and dis-creetly coloured.

Walls and Fences

At the front of buildingsany freestanding bound-ary walls should be constructedfrom a material compatible with the buildings tbat they enclose. Fencing and d n g s shodd be of steelWva-M)or of iron, painted in an appropriate colour and with a vertical emphasis.

Rainwater goods

Rainwaterdownpipes, gutters and hopper heads should 'be either castiron or cast aluminium to an appropriate period h i g o and in a suitabte colour. PVC rainwatergoods should be avdded except where conceded or not visible frompublic mm.

Development by Public Agencies

Thepublic sector isresponsiblefor elements affecting the ajpamnce of the saeetscspe.The agencies involved must ensure that any works carried our will improve the environmentalquality of the Area.

As renewalof overheadelecuicity and telephone services becomes operalionallyne-cessary,as much as pomible should be undecgrouded. As oppomnitiesarise,undwgmmditq should be co-dinatled with the ~ m w dof road and footpath surfaces. New development and the renovationof existing buildingsshould incorpomte intend ducting, so avoiding the need for unsightly wiring.

Stteets~apeworks. affectingpavement and roadway surfaces, should employ mtials and details which compliment those which tradition-ally existed in the Conservation Area

Street ~~includes signs, street ligh-r bins, bollards and seating. Careful attentionshould

paid to their daigu as and whenrenewal is needed. The provides of street furniture - the DOE Roads Serviceand the District Council -sbould choosethe design carefully so as to be in lceeping with the ambience of the Conservation Area. The m-down appearance of such items can have a depressing effect;convemeiy, well .main-tained s a t furniture can enbarrce the Area

APPENDIX I: FINANCIALAND OTHER ASSISTANCE

Conservation Area Grant

Under thePlanning (NI) order 1991 the Depart-ment of the Environment 0may grant aid expenditure relating to works to either listed or non-listed buildingsthat promote the preservation or enhancementofthe character or of the ConservationArea Further details may be obfainedfrom:

T o m and Country P h n h g Service. Department of the Environment (NI), County Hall, Dnunragh Avenue, OMAGHBl797AF,

Telephone Omagh (0662)242881.

Historic Buildings G m t

Under the Planning (NI)order 1991, the Depart-ment of the Environmeat forNorthern b land may give finauciat assistance towards the cost of repairs or mainten- of buildingsthat are listed as king of special mhitecwral orhistoric inter- est,Further detailsmay be obtained from:

Environment Service Wistaric Monuments ancl Bwilciings, Department of the Envimnmeat (NI), 5-33 Hill Street. BELFASTB'PI ;?LA,

Telephone Belfast (0232) 235000.

Urban Development Programme

Spnwzd by the International Fund for Ireland 0,the pwpurse of this P r o w e is to generate viable economic activity in derelict or under used buildings msites,particularly where newjobs may be created. It may abo be available for cemin projects which improve the physical fabric of nmdown areas;and improve the economic infrmtmcture forthebeneflt of the wider eoxnmu-nity. F&r details m y be obtainedFrom:

Town and Country Planning Service, Department of the Environment (NI), County Hall, Drmmgh Avenue' OMAGH B7797AF.

Renovation Grmt

Under 'tbeHousing (NI) Odm 1992the Norrhern bland Housing Executive: may grant aid the cost of improvement and convession subject to means testing. Incertaincircumstancesthe Executive may %kogrant aid repair. Such grants do not necessarily exclude either Historic Buildingsgrant orCanse;wationArea grant,wbich should also be applied for as appropriate. Further$etails may be obtained from:

Northern Ireland Housing Fxecutive, McAUister House, Woodside Avenue, OMAOH BT797BP.

Omagh Conserv~tionArea

Hearth Revolving Fund

Charitable Tmts

Thisclratitable trust a p t e s a revolving fund for the acquisitionand restoration of historic buildings at risk,and is paaiculmly interested in buildings in conservation w a s . Fraher details may be ob-tained fmm

He& kv01King Fund, 181 Stmnrnillis Road, BELFASTBT9 5EU,

TelephoneBelfast ( 0232) 381623.

Chitable Tmts are sometime willing to help withmusemationof buildings in chsritableor 0thnon profit aalring ownership, Reference could wefully be made to the publicdon 'A Guide totbeMajor Trusts', marketed by 1English Heritage WBN 0907164 61 7).

Ulster Arehitetural Heritage Society

The Ulster Architectural Heritage Society is a volunmy body with some 1500 members, con-cerned with the promotion of good architecture of all periods in the nine counties of Ulster.As well as publishing nearly fifty books and monographs concerning aspectsof local aditecm,it organ-ises visits trs buildings For its members, and may be able to provide technical advice of a general natwe or &ct enquirers to appropriatesources of information.Further details may be obtained hm:

Ulster Architectural Heritage Society 185 SwamillisRoad BELFAST BT9 5DU

TelephoneBelfast (0232)650809

0- Co~l~ervationArea-APPENDIX II: LISTED BUILDINGS

No,8 Bigh Street: Grade B HI311/13/14 Early 20th centmy. AUied Irish Bank. formerly Munster & teinster Bank. h - s t o r e y Edwdian building, Portland stone and ashlar.

Hoe. lWU wgh Street: About 1901.Tymne County Club.Three storey Edwardim Architecture, featuring a central oriel window at fmt flow. Slated, brick above a rusticated Portland stow ground floor.Previously the site of a two storey thatched house.

No,14 High Street: GrsdeB Completed 1909. Ulster Bank.Three storey decorative Limestone front of eclectic styling.

Nos 15/17HSgfiS W : Grade B LEDU building, previously the 'Provincial Bank'. '1864' inscribed in the central roundel. 4 bay, 3 storey construction in the ltaliiate style, incoprating a coachway. Walls are of sandstoneashlar with heavy blocking course above eaves cornice.Decorativewrought iron d i g shave been removed

h 1833. Last used as aTown Hall by Urban Distria Council. Fmnt facadewas demoIished &etbomb damage. A hall with proscenium and gallery, decorative plasterand bdusMng.

N a 18110JagbStreet: b 1 y 20th century.Three storey E d w d m classical building. Previously the Northern Bank but origina2Iy designed and used as aPost Office, Bottom storey is sandstone with red brick upper stweys.

Nos. 49151153 Hfgh Street Grade B Early 19th century. With someoriginal C e o r ~ a ndetailing, Royal Arms Hotel - one of the oldest hotels in the town. Fine oriel window a western end.

Na 59 EUgh Street: Grade B Mid 19thcentury. 3 storey building, slated and stuccoed.

ccdh-HlghStFeet: Gmde A Built in 1814, to the design of architectJohn Hargrave, on the site of the old gaol with a long wing to the south added by W.J. Barre in 1863.Two storey building in newlassical stylewith Doric portico added in 1820with columns from Mulnatoomog in Dmmragh.The stone was quarried at KKirIish, 8 miles away.

GradeB h e 19th century, one-and-a-haIf storey dwelling house forchurch warden. Slate and with attic gable.

Na 42 JohnS- 1894,extended 1957. Church hall, simple gothic detailing inslae aud stone.

W t y Presbyterkm Chau-cb J o bM

Grade B Mid- 19th c m w . Crucifom,slate and stone with a mixture of Gothic details. A meeting house on this site since the 18thcentury.

Grade B Mid-Victorian - 1857.Gothic chtlich,constrr~etedin dark. random stonework.

SCCdumb9's P d h Church, ChurchS t m C

Chrchof the SacredHead, Cbnrch Street:

7 & 12 Castle Place:

Grade B

GradeA

Early 18th century chmh, inGo& style. Spire added in 1810 and re-roofed in 1818. SnecM sandstonembble building.

Constructedbetween 1892ad I S99. Fine; Gothicchurch, d o m i d g tbe westcm end of the town with its two towers and spiresof unssdGght.

Built 1804. Twostorey, wt stone,formergate h o u ~ta thegaol.

-m

Grade B Built 1804. Gavemof's house, old gaol. Simply-detailed, threestorey'block, with cmtedfaces flankedby two storey wings.

M's Bridge, Bridge Street: Grade B Pm1833.Rvesegmented masonry SW.

33 Omagh Conservation Area

APPENDIX III: GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS The following isaguide to some of theplanning and mhitectural term used in this document,

Refers to the lintel, jambs and mould 8hopwfndonr~rton.fhereisof lma~ptat lont o f ~ a n o p e n i n g f f ~ t I n h ~ o f h s h o p w l R d o w . M s w a d diags around a doorway or window. ~ k ~ B R d p r o p o r t l o n s . b ~ t h e ~ f r a s n e s h w l c l b e ~ t e d b y a ~ a n e c l r e a & n m b s M .

A l s ~uBed in classidatchiteeture to dcontaina 'hltand mlw(W)mlllatDTtrOntedby an exBevlw slotDed paml.describethe beamor b w a t division of an entabImm.

Bdeelbn Moulding Convex moulding covering thejoint between twodafmt planes and overlapping ttae higher as well as the IOW b& ap~~5aJiyon panellingand f b p l ~ , ~ e 17thandsummds of$re l& early 18thoeatmy.

The moulded or carved top of a coiumaor pilasterwhich oonmstmtes (mrtpperus to mneenm) the load onto the shaftof the column. Often richly ornrunem

The meam ofpratecting'the WC @ity af abuilding,p u p s of buildings or specificareas.

Rendered Wrlwr

~ ~ a r e a s * d e c l a t e d b y t h e Dqmbwmt oftheEnvironment 0, Components of a shopfront which areamsidered to be of @cu lar mhi- arBistoric importance and thus wotthy of Console Emket In classicalarchitecture,an ornamental bracket of slight retention.In ordertoensure that the chapactetof such areas projection but of much greater height May serve to supgoa isnot eroded,fatare development proposals are nomdly acornice h v e a shop frontor exterior door. expected to conformwith a series of polici~sand contno1s preparedby tbe Department. A projecting moulding, often of ornate design, along the tap

of abuiIding or above doors and windows,

&velopment Contrd The tern given to the process whereby the planning author ity assessesand determinesplanning applications.

Entablature The upper part of an Order of Arcfitemre above a column m colonnadecomprising the architrave, frieze and cornice.

Thesize of a particularbuilding or i ts components when consided in relation to its surroundings, or in refmnce m thehuman f o m

The exterior face or elevation of a building.

A broad, fiatband or board often used in the context of shop fronts where the naneof the shop or its owners is to be found.

The arrangementof windows in a building.

Street Furaiture

In a shopfront,the panel betow the cill.

This refers to the variouselements tobe found in typical streets of our .towns and cities, such asstreet lamps, post box&* litter b b , directionsigns and public seating.

The architechmdstyle associated withthe time of Wgs &mge I-lV (1702-f 830).

String Course A projecting horizontalcourse or line of mouldingscunniog across the facade of a building.

mUse

Mullion

The process of development or redevelopment which takesplace within gaps in existingstreet bntages.

use or activity which does or might take place on a particu lar area of land.

Thedesign and layout of the spaces betweenanA aboutbuild ings. This can take the form of eitherbard landscaping. ie wdfs, paths, orS& softlan-~ng, ic trees,shrubs, open space.

Upright bars which divide a window intoa number of lights.

The visual effect created as a result of the relatiombip of bui2dirrgs or groups of buildings to each other and to the spacos formed by these buildings.

A horizontal structwd division in a window. In a vertically sliding sash window, it is the lowermemberof the upper (puter) sash and the upper mm& of the lower sash. When the window is closed, these two mhcide ia the horizontal plane.

The discipline or study of urbarr area5 in t e r n of &dgnand function.

Orielwindow A window projectingfrom the face of a buildmg -usually from m upper floor - and supported by eitherbrackets or catbels.

A style of building or architecturepeculiar to a ~ c v l a r locality.

A rectangularfeature in the shape of a pillar pjecting framthe face of a building, but having no s t n t c d function.

Victorian The association of mhitexXural style and ideas to the reign of Queen Victoria ( l 837-1901).

Refers to relationship, in terms of size and auaugemot,of the various elements in a facade.

Quoin A term generally appliedto the raised stonework b be found at at the corners and angles of a building.

Sash A h e , holding window glass, wally. made to slide up and down in gmaves.

APPENDIX W BIBLIOGRAPHY

Court Houses and Market Houses of Ulster Belf- Ulster Architectural Heritage Society. 1973.

Dept of Environment (NT) Omagh Area Plan 1983-2002 Omagh DistrictCouncil Area, Belfast HMSO,1990

Dublin Newsletter "Extracth m a letterfrom Omagh" l l May 1742.

Fulerton, A & CO ParIiamentary Gazetteerof Ireland I 834-1844

Johnsten. N The Great Northern Railway in County T p n e OccasionalhbiicationsNo.l.,WestTyroneHistoricalSociety

Lewis, S A Topographical Dictionary of Ireland London, Lewis, 1837.2volumes.

Images of Omagh and District Omagh, Rotary Club of Omagh, 1940.2 volumes.

Rowan, A North West Ulster Harmondsworth, Penguin, 1979 (The buildings of lreland)

A H m k d Years A-Milfin~ Dpulddgan Ress Ltd, M m h 1951

Tyrolwer A Review of the Past Century, November 1950.

APPENDIX V:ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Board of Trinity College

B. E v m

S, Gakgher

M.D. Lake

Miss K McAllimt

The late BmtfierP.N. Newell

Omagh Disaist Council

The staff dOmaghPublic Libmy

O1.dnance Survey of Northern Ireland

Public Records Office of Narthern Ire1itnd

R. Scon

Trustees, National Library of Ireland

E.Winters

The Plannina,(NorthsraIreland) Order 1991 Planning (Control ofAdv-memS) Regalaxiom CNI) 1 9 2 Pl&g ( G e n d &veiopraent)i Order (NI)1993 Planning (Wse Classes) W r (M)1989