Farm dwelling and garage at Approx 320M NW of 180 Caledon Road, Aughnacloy

What was proposed

An outline application proposed a dwelling and domestic garage on a farm approximately 320 metres northwest of 180 Caledon Road.

“LA09/2026/0004/O ACKN Development Management Officer Report Committee Application Summary Committee Meeting Date: April 2026 Item Number: Application ID: LA09/2026/0004/O Target Date: April 2026 Proposal: Dwelling and domestic garage on a farm Location: Approx 320M NW of 180 Caledon Road Aughnacloy…”

“The application site is in the countryside and outside any settlement limits as defined in the Dungannon and South Tyrone Area Plan 2010. The surrounding area is rural in character and the predominant land uses are agricultural fields, groups of farm buildings and single rural dwellings. There are no other dwellings abutting the boundary of the application site.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended refusal because the proposed access would be new, would serve a protected route and would not meet access policy.

“There is a hard shoulder along both sides of the visibility splays so I am content no vegetation will need to be removed to provide the visibility splays as such a biodiversity checklist is not required.”

“December 2020. DFI Roads were consulted and recommended the refusal does not meet AMP 3 as a new access will be create onto a protected route. Other Considerations I have completed checks on the statutory map viewers and I am content there are no other ecological, built heritage or flooding issues at the site. The proposal is recommended for refusal as a safe access on the public road cannot be created.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

DFI Roads objected under access policy, while DAERA had no objection.

“Case Officer Report Site Location Plan This material is based upon Crown Copyright and is reproduced with the permission of Land & Property Services under delegated authority NIMA CS&LA581 from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown copyright and database rights. Consultations: Consultation TypeConsulteeResponse Statutory ConsulteeDFI Roads - Enniskillen OfficeObjection as proposal goes against AMP 3.”

Officer report

Support for the application

Support argued that the family needed to live on the farm because of farming duties, flooding and family responsibilities.

“The applicant farms on the land, which he and his family are desperate to get a home on, the land is either very steep land or on a flood plain, however the family need to be on site. The applicant’s wife is a doctor who serves the local community with great respect and dedication. The flooding issue would mean there would be times when his wife would not be able to exit the lane, to get out of the farm.”

Minutes

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the recommendation, and the agent addressed the committee seeking more information and a deferral.

Members discussed access

Members debated whether the field gate was an existing vehicular access and whether other sites or evidence could address the protected-route issue.

“[name withheld] read from policy AMP3 which relates to access to protected routes and states that planning permission will only be granted for a development proposal involving direct access, or the intensification of the use of an existing access in four cases, in relation to a farm dwelling the policy states that where a farm dwelling would meet the criteria set out in policy CTY10 of PPS21 and access cannot reasonably be obtained from an adjacent minor road proposals will be…”

“[name withheld] stated there are two parcels of land on the farm holding, he advised that on the parcel of land under consideration there is not another alternative and that by default although it may look like a field gate there had to be access to the buildings in the past.”

Minutes

Why it was deferred

The committee deferred the application for a site visit because some members had not previously visited the site.

“Councillor McElvogue proposed that the application be deferred for site visit.”

“The Chair, Councillor S McPeake agreed stating that whilst some Members may have visited the site before there are others who have not.”

Minutes