Monaghan Council submit Lennard Arms plan

Monaghan County Council is seeking permission to press ahead with plans connected to the much-vaunted Clones Heritage Project.

The proposed development consists of the demolition of the 20th century extensions and alterations to the former Lennard Arms Hotel, a landmark town centre property which is listed as a protected structure.

The council have submitted plans to change the use of the building from a vacant hotel to a heritage centre and exhibition space, along with the refurbishment of the former hotel site.

This will include repair of the hotel roof, the removal of internal linings, floors, walls and joinery in the former hotel, conservation and replenishing of historic wall coatings, repair of historic walls and ironwork balconies, installation of roof lights and new windows replacing PVC types along with new openings overlooking the public space.

It will also include the construction of a new mezzanine level to the interior of the proposed exhibition space, a plant room/storage space on the uppermost level, and the restoration of existing stores along Annalore Street and their conversion to exhibition space, reception area and toilets.

Further restoration and alteration will be carried out to the front fenestration, and involve the insertion of shopfronts to the rear opening towards the courtyard space, as well as the provision of a new universally accessible hard-landscaped courtyard to the adjacent Wee Abbey and graveyard, along with all associated site works.

Separately, but as part of the plans, the Council has confirmed that the Celtic High Cross in the Diamond in Clones could be relocated and replaced with a replica.

The original cross structure would then be moved and made available to view in the newly redeveloped Lennard Arms centre.

A decision on the Council's submission for the Lennard Arms building will be decided by October 14.