Agricultural storage buildings at Lands at the crossroads of Kilntown Road and Magherabeg Road, Dromore

What was proposed

The application sought replacement agricultural buildings, grain and digestate storage, demolition, access improvements and associated site works.

“Proposal: Retrospective demolition of 3 no. agricultural buildings and retention of replacement agricultural building used as a grain store and underground digestate storage tank. Proposed demolition of a further 2no. remaining existing agricultural buildings and erection of 4no. replacement buildings to be used for grain storage. Proposal also includes access improvements onto Kilntown Road and associated site works, including demolition of a building.”

“Site Address: Lands at the crossroads of Kilntown Road and Magherabeg Road, immediately to the west of No. Magherabeg Road, Dromore BT25 1SX (Site Layout Plan: Appendix 5A)”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The rural site contained a new retaining wall, replacement building, underground tank, existing barns and accesses onto two roads.

“The site comprises of lands at the crossroads of Kilntown Road and Magherabeg Road, immediately to the west of No. Magherabeg Road, Dromore BT25 1SX. A new 3-4m high retaining wall has been erected along the southern site boundary and a new building erected with ridge height of 10m and floor area of 30m x 18.3m. An underground tank has also been constructed measuring 18.3m x 25.9m and 3.6m in height and is covered by a concrete base.”

“The site is located within a rural area where the land use is predominantly agricultural. To the north of the site is a dwelling and farm yard/outbuildings – 66 Kilntown Road. To the west of the site is a dwelling at 63 Kilntown Road with a dwelling to the east at 107 Magherabeg Road.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the active farm justified the replacement buildings and digestate tank, with acceptable design, access, amenity, environmental and heritage effects.

“The applicant has advised that the proposal seeks replacement agricultural buildings which remain necessary for the purposes of machinery and feed storage. The replacement buildings will not house livestock, however, a below ground tank is required for satellite digestate storage associated with the applicant’s Anaerobic Digestion (AD) plant located at 33 Greenogue Road, approximately one kilometre to the north of the site.”

“The replacement agricultural buildings will be sited on the footprint of the existing buildings. The buildings will be larger in footprint (2343sqm as opposed to 1,825sqm) and height (maximum of 10m as opposed to approximately 7m) than the buildings previously and currently on the site. A landscape and visual impact assessment with photomontages has been provided which demonstrates how the proposal will appear in the landscape compared to how it previously appeared.”

Officer report

Advice from consultees

Consultees raised no objections, subject to conditions where applicable, including on roads, drainage, water, environment, natural heritage and environmental health.

“DFI Roads has no objections subject to condition.”

“Shared Environmental Services – No objections subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The senior planning officer presented the application and further information, and the agent had speaking rights for clarification.

Members considered the application

Members were directed to the assessment and principal issues, questions were invited, and no further clarification was requested before the decision.

“MEMBERS’ ATTENTION: was drawn by the Senior Planning Officer ([name withheld]) to the Officer assessment and each of the principal determining issues.”

“QUESTIONED: by the Vice-Chair if any Member required any further clarification. As no further clarification was required, the meeting moved to Members’ debate and decision.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to conditions, following a proposal and seconder, with no counter-proposals.

“AGREED: on the proposal of Councillor Duffy, seconded by Councillor Donnelly, that Application No: LA08/2023/2334/F by A Thompson, be approved, subject to conditions.”

“NOTED: that there were no counter proposals made.”

Minutes