Part-time hairdressing salon at 41 Groggan Road, Antrim

The site

The site is a detached bungalow with outbuildings in the countryside, with the cabin behind the dwelling and access from Groggan Road.

“The application site is located at No. Groggan Road, Randalstown, which is within the countryside as defined by the Antrim Area Plan 1984-2001 (AAP).”

“The application site comprises an existing detached bungalow with associated outbuildings, one of which the subject to this application and comprises a cabin building to the rear of the dwelling. The site is accessed directly via the Groggan Road.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier applications concerned a hairdressing salon and site-curtilage changes; one was refused, one was granted and another was refused.

“Location: Groggan Road, Randalstown, Antrim, BT41 3JH Proposal: Hairdressing salon at domestic residence Decision: Refused to Certify (26/11/2024)”

“Location: Groggan Road, Randalstown, Antrim, BT41 3JH Proposal: Proposed extension of site curtilage with new allotments Decision: Permission Granted (21/08/2024)”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended refusal because the salon was an unjustified countryside use and a retail use outside a designated town centre.

“Paragraph 6.273 of the SPPS and Policy SP 2.12 of the ANPS states that the Council will operate a town centre first approach in considering the development of retail and other main town centre uses across the Borough. Randallstown is identified as having a town centre in Table 4 of Policy SP 2.12 which sets out the retail hierarchy for the Council area and is approximately 3.5 miles from the application site.”

“Furthermore, the hairdressing salon is considered contrary to Policies SP 2.12, DM 7.1 and DM 7.2 of the ANPS and paragraphs 6.273 and 6.288 of the SPPS in that the retailing element of the development lies outside any designated town centre and it has not been demonstrated that a suitable site does not exist within the town centre of other retailing area.”

Officer report

Other planning matters

The cabin’s design, neighbour impact, parking, access and flood-risk effects were considered acceptable, while the use was not treated as homeworking.

“The salon is housed within an existing cabin to the rear of No. Groggan Road. The cabin is sited along the northern boundary of the application site and is not visible from the roadside due to the intervening of the dwelling. The cabin has an approximate length of 6.6m, a width of 3.8m and a height of 2.7m. The cabin covers an area of approximately 25m2. The cabin is finished in a grey flat roof membrane and timber cladding with the windows finished in white UPVC.”

“Based on Dfl Parking Standards, the use of the hair dressing salon would require 2no. parking spaces. There are 3no. spaces shown directly outside of the cabin area and the letters of support refer to the minimal impact the hairdressers has on traffic generation. It is considered that there is sufficient parking to serve the hairdressing salon.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health, DFI Roads and Northern Ireland Water raised no objection, with Environmental Health seeking a time-restriction condition.

“Council Environmental Health Section: No objection, subject to conditions DFI Roads: No objection…”

Officer report

Public support

Three letters from non-notified properties supported the proposal, citing minimal traffic impact, local need, accessibility and homeworking.

“One (1) neighbouring property was notified of the application and three (3) letters of support have been received from non-notified properties.”

“Asummary of the key points of the support raised are provided below: e =Minimal impact in terms of traffic;”

Officer report

Who spoke

A senior planning officer introduced the planning report, and there were no public speakers.

The decision

The committee unanimously refused planning permission because the rural location was not essential and a suitable town-centre or retail site had not been ruled out.

“2.The proposal is contrary to the policy provisions as set out in Policies SP 2.12, DM 7.1 and DM 7.2 of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Plan Strategy and paragraphs 6.273 and 6.288 of the Strategic Planning Policy Statement in that the retailing element of the development lies outside any designated town centre and it has not been demonstrated that a suitable site does not exist within the town centre of other retailing area.”

Minutes