95-home residential development at Lands South of Nos 37-77 Court Street and Nos 1-11 Canal Row, Newtownards

The site and surroundings

The site was under construction, accessed from Castlebawn Drive, bounded by the retained Bawn Wall, and surrounded by housing, commercial premises and a canal.

“The application site is located to the south of nos. 37-77 Court Street and 1-11 Canal Row, within the settlement of Newtownards. At present, construction is still ongoing on a large housing development, with numerous houses seemingly nearing completion. The site is accessed via Castlebawn Drive, and is bound by the Bawn Wall to the south, which has been retained.”

“The surrounding area varies widely in character. To the west of the site, there is another large new housing development, whereas to the north there are largely retail / commercial premises (many of which abandoned), and to the east there are further large retail and commercial premises (including Tesco and Downeys Kia). The site is also bound by a canal to the south and east.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered 108 homes and then 95 homes, while several conditions had since been discharged or were under consideration.

“LA06/2023/2434/F - Proposed residential development of 95 dwellings (reduction in density from 108 dwellings approved under LA06/2019/0603/F) to include roads, parking, infrastructure, landscaping and retention of bawn wall. Vehicular access to site will be from Castlebawn Drive – Approved 25 th March 2024, subject to various conditions, of which Condition 5 will be considered in this Report:”

“Many of the other pre-commencement conditions have been discharged as follows:”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers found that removing 36 trees would not cause unacceptable visual or privacy impacts, and that the proposed landscaping phasing was sufficient.

“(adjacent to 9 Carleton Bridge). I am satisfied however that there is still a sufficient number of trees in this corner to allow for the overall development not to have an unacceptable visual impact on the surrounding area. Trees along the northern, eastern and southern boundaries are not as necessary to reduce the visual impact of the development, considering these sides of the site are largely bound by industrial units and abandoned buildings.”

“In terms of the potential impact of the removal of trees on the privacy and amenity of neighbouring properties, the only property which may be impacted directly is 9 Carleton Bridge. While the trees in the site’s southwestern corner provide some screening between it and the proposed new dwellings, it is noted that there are no proposed dwellings directly in this corner in any case. The nearest dwellings to 9 Carleton Bridge are over 60m away.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Thirty-six neighbouring properties were notified, no representations were received, and consultation was not required.

“Consultations – synopsis of responses: Consultation not required…”

Officer report

What the agent explained

The agent said tree removal addressed potential risks to the Bawn Wall and public safety, while the scheme would retain over 100 new trees and other planting.

What members discussed

Members welcomed the additional clarification and considered the revised plans sympathetic to the concerns previously raised.

“The submitted phasing plan showed the site divided into 7 phases for the implementation of planting, confirming that planting would be completed during the first available planting season after the occupation of the first dwelling in each phase. Condition 5 had been amended accordingly to require the landscaping works to be implemented in accordance with the details of this phasing plan.”

“Alderman McIlveen proposed, seconded by Councillor Smart, that the Officer’s recommendation be adopted and that Council grants planning permission. The seconder, Councillor Smart added that he felt the plans were sympathetic to the relevant concerns and welcomed the clarification from the agent. RESOLVED, on the proposal of Alderman McIlveen, seconded by Councillor Smart, that the recommendation be adopted and that the Council grants planning permission. 4.3”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted for the variation of Condition 5 relating to landscaping.

“LA06/2026/0137/S54 – Proposed residential development of 95 dwellings to include roads, parking, infrastructure, landscaping and retention of bawn wall – Variation of Condition 5 regarding landscaping (Appendix II – III) Previously circulated:- Case Officer’s report. DEA: Newtownards Committee Interest: – Major planning application.”

Minutes