Three agricultural buildings at 50m West and 88m NW of 17 Abbacy Road, Newtownards

The site and surroundings

The site is in open countryside at an existing farm complex, accessed by a lane shared with a nearby third-party dwelling.

“The site is located at 17 Abbacy Road, a few miles north of Portaferry and is within open countryside. The site is accessed via an existing lane that serves the applicant’s existing farm complex and farmhouse as well as a third party dwelling at 15B Abbacy Road. The site for the proposed new agricultural sheds is located within the main group of farm buildings.”

Officer report

Earlier farm building permission

A 2023 permission covered one retrospective agricultural building and two proposed buildings; one approved building remained unbuilt.

“The most relevant planning permission w as granted in 2023 (LA06/2021/1238/F) for one agricultural building (retrospective) and erection of two agricultural buildings with dry storage below one of proposed buildings.”

“The retrospective building has been completed and one of the approved buildings is almost complete. The construction of the second approved building has not yet commenced and has been taken into consideration of this assessment of the current application.”

Officer report

Consultees’ responses

DfI Roads, Environmental Health, Shared Environmental Services and DAERA’s natural environment consultees raised no objections, subject to conditions where stated.

“Consultations – synopsis of responses: DfI Roads No objection. DAERA The farm business ID identified on the P1C has been in existence for more than 6 years. The business has claimed SFP in the last 6 years. The Business ID is in Category 1 and was issued in 1996. EHO No objections. SES No objections subject to a condition. NIEA WMU”

“NIEA NED No objections subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning agent attended in support of the application, but returned to the virtual public gallery when members had no questions.

The committee vote

Councillors Wray and Kerr proposed and seconded adoption of the recommendation to grant planning permission.

“The Chair advised that [the planning agent] (planning agent) was in attendance, in support of the application to answer any questions that the Committee had. He was connected to the meeting via Zoom but as there were no questions raised, [the planning agent] was returned to the virtual public gallery. Councillor Wray proposed, seconded by Councillor Kerr, that the recommendation be adopted and the Council grants planning permission.”

Minutes

Permission conditions

The buildings must be used for agricultural storage, must not house livestock without consent, and must meet water protection requirements.

“The agricultural buildings hereby approved will be used solely for storage and no livestock shall be housed within the buildings at any time without the prior written consent of the Council.”

“The farm buildings hereby permitted shall only be used for agricultural activity and for no other purposes at any time including no commercial enterprise.”

Officer report