Carport and boundary wall at 69 New Lodge Road, Caulside, Antrim

What was proposed

The application proposed a new carport at the front of the dwelling and a new front boundary wall.

“PROPOSAL Proposed new car-port to front of dwelling and new front boundary wall…”

Officer report

Earlier committee consideration

Members deferred the application for two months to allow engagement on the carport’s scale and finishes.

“Members will be aware that this application was brought before the Planning Committee in March 2026, with a recommendation to refuse planning permission. It was unanimously agreed by Members that the application be deferred for two months to allow further engagement between the applicant's agent and the Planning Section, with a view to resolving outstanding concerns regarding the scale and external finishes of the car port and reaching an acceptable solution.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers considered the carport’s siting, massing and appearance harmful to the dwelling and surrounding area, despite revised height and finishes.

“On 23rd April 2026 the agent submitted an amended Floor and Elevation Plan (Drawing No. 03/1 date stamped 23rd April 2026) which reduced the height of the carport by approximately 0.4m to an overall height of 3.8m. The plan also proposed to amend the finishes of the carport from red brick to stone cladding to match the existing finish of the porch on the host dwelling.”

“The proposed roughcast render finish of the proposed carport to match the existing dwelling is considered acceptable. However, the revised scheme fails to satisfactorily address the Council's concerns in relation to the siting of the carport, which sits forward of the existing dwelling and has a detrimental impact on the visual amenity and character of the area and the host dwelling given its massing and appearance adjacent to the public road.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support of the application and responded to Members’ enquiries.

The vote

The committee rejected the refusal proposal by four votes to six, with no abstentions, then approved the application by six votes to four.

“A further proposal was then put to the meeting Proposed by Councillor Cosgrove Seconded by Councillor Bennington that planning permission be granted for the application subject to the building being rendered and with further conditions delegated to Officers. On the proposal being put to the meeting 6 Members voted in favour, 4 against and 0 abstentions.”

Minutes