One countryside dwelling at Approx 70m south east of 12 Drumkeeran Road, Antrim

The site and surroundings

The site is part of an agricultural field in the countryside, reached by an existing agricultural lane and adjoining trees, hedges, a watercourse and bogland.

“The application site consists of a portion of a larger agricultural field which is accessed off the Drumkeeran Road by an existing agricultural laneway. The site comprises a rectangular shape, defined to the southwest with mature trees, to the northwest with interspersed trees and post and wire fencing, and to the northeast by a mature hedgerow. The southeastern boundary of the site remains undefined.”

“The character of the area is typically rural and is defined with single dwellings and agricultural outbuildings spread intermittingly throughout. As detailed on the Site Location Plan (Drawing No. 01 date stamped 3rd September 2025) a large expanse of bogland exists beyond the site to the southwest.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health, Roads and Historic Environment raised no objections subject to matters including conditions, while a response from Rivers was still awaited.

“Department for Infrastructure Roads- No objection, subject to condition Historic Environment Division - No objection…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A planning officer introduced the application; councillors and objectors spoke against it, while the agent and applicant spoke in support.

The committee vote

A motion to refuse outline permission was proposed and seconded, then passed with five votes for, four against and one abstention.

“Proposed by Councillor Kinnear Seconded by Alderman Campbell that outline planning permission be refused.”

Minutes

The decision and reason

Outline permission was refused because the proposal would cause an unacceptable adverse impact through overlooking and loss of privacy at No. 12.

“The proposal is contrary to the provisions contained within the Strategic Planning Policy Statement paragraph 4.12 and fails to meet the provisions of Policy DM 28 of the Antrim and Newtownabbey Plan Strategy in that the proposal would result in an unacceptable adverse impact on the occupiers of an existing nearby dwelling (No. 12) in terms of overlooking and loss of privacy.”

Minutes