donnelly's of rathkenny
There are too many buildings lying vacant, subject to vandalism and dereliction throughout time not only in Ballymena but Northern Ireland, when renovations and reuse should be encouraged in favour for Planning permission.
The vacant “Turtles” car showroom of Rathkenny, since December 2012 is one such example.
When the Donnelly family (John, Gwen, Oran, Niall and Connor) approached McNeill Architecture Consultancy as to the feasibility to converting this building into a petrol station and convenience store, and this appeared an excellent and appropriate reuse of this building. At first the Donnelly family were surprised at what appeared to be excessive statutory bureaucracy restraints to this conversion.
Turtle's Peugeot Dealership converted into Donnelly's of Rathkenny Petrol Station & Supermarket
Thankfully with persistence, we guided them through all the apparent obstacles from Planning, Building Control, Environmental Controls, to Health & Safety, Fire, and Asbestos Surveys to Disability access and finally in obtaining their Petroleum License. This project has been a success story for the Donnelly family and provides a useful and obviously needed service to the community.
Turtle's Peugeot Dealership converted into Donnelly's of Rathkenny Petrol Station & Supermarket