92 homes at Lands to the south and west of Woodland Grange to the north of Blacks Gate and to the east of Moor Park Mews Belfast

The amended proposal

The application amended two approved housing schemes by removing third-party land and reducing the scheme by two dwellings.

“LA04/2022/0809/F - Amendments to approved schemes ref. Z/2008/0993/F (erection of 53 No. dwellings) & ref. Z/2013/0120/F (erection of 46 No. dwellings); to reduce overall density from 99 No. dwellings to 92 No. dwellings and associated and ancillary works. - Lands to the south and west of Woodland Grange to the north of Blacks Gate and to the east of Moor Park Mews…”

“The Planning Manager outlined the application to the Committee and explained that the application had been approved in December, 2025 and was back before the Committee as the proposal had been amended to remove a small area of third-party land from the application site which had resulted in a reduction of the scheme by two dwellings.”

Minutes

The site and surroundings

The site covers about 3.4 hectares, is accessed from Finaghy Road North and is surrounded by residential development and mature planting.

“The site area is approximately 3.4 hectares (ha) and rises slightly from south to north, with land continuing to rise beyond the site across the Upper Springfield Road to Black Mountain. The site is well defined with mature planting along all boundaries, and within the site itself. It is characterised by this vegetation and undulating rising land.”

“The site is currently accessed from an existing laneway off Finaghy Road North, which serves both residential development and the former Ford Visteon site.”

Officer report

Officers advised approval

Officers considered the proposal acceptable because the principle of housing was established and the layout, density, design and open space were suitable.

“The site is unzoned in the Belfast Urban Area Plan 2001 (BUAP 2001) and zoned for housing in both versions of the draft Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan 2015 (dBMAP). Moreover, the site is within the development limit of the city where housing is generally acceptable. The principle of housing at the site is established through two extant planning approvals Z/2008/0993/F and Z/2013/0120/F.”

“Density: The site is approximately 3.4 hectares (ha) in size. With 94 units proposed, the density is approximately 27.6 dwellings per ha. This density is in line with the density band for Outer Belfast (25-125) as set out in Policy HOU4. Whilst the density would be at the lower end of this band, it would complement existing residential densities in the area.”

Officer report

What the committee heard

The Planning Manager outlined the amended plans, explained the reduction in dwellings and advised that the agreement was agreed in principle.

The committee’s decision

The Committee granted planning permission subject to conditions and a Section 76 planning agreement, with delegated authority for final wording and non-substantive matters.

“The Committee granted planning permission subject to conditions and a Section 76 planning agreement, and delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of the Section 76 planning agreement and conditions, and to deal with any other matters that might arise provided that they were not substantive.”

Minutes