53-home residential development at Lands at Cabin Hill, Belfast

What was proposed

The application sought 53 residential units, with 43 dwellings and 10 apartments, plus access, roads, landscaping and associated works.

“This application seeks full planning permission for the erection of 53 residential units (including 43no dwellings and 10no apartments), including ancillary works for the creation of an access from Upper Newtownards Road, internal roads, landscaping and associated works.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was a former prep school with derelict buildings, a listed building, mature protected trees, overgrown open space and access from Upper Newtownards Road.

“The application site is the grounds of a former prep school. It is partly occupied by several derelict school buildings, including a listed building. Whilst the latter is included within the application site (red line), it does not form part of the proposals.”

“Levels decline towards the east boundary. The rear gardens of domestic properties at Castlehill Road back onto the site along its east boundary. The site is bounded by open space and trees on its southwest, west and north sides. The site is accessed from Upper Newtownards Road to the south of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions and applications

The site had earlier permissions for housing, conversion of the former school to 12 apartments, and related applications concerning layout, unit numbers and lawful commencement.

“LA04/2022/0664/LDP – Lands at Cabin Hill, Campbell College, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast. Confirmation that proposed completion of Unit 9 of planning permission ref. Z/2007/2069/RM would be lawful. Approved 19/01/2023.”

“LA04/2018/2863/F and LA04/2018/2862/LBC – Cabin Hill House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast. Conversion and restoration of former preparatory school to 12No. private apartments including removal of inappropriate extensions. Approved on 19/06/2019”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Statutory and non-statutory consultees raised no objections, with some responses subject to conditions, while the housing body supported the proposal for social housing.

“DFI Roads – No objection, subject to conditions. DFI Rivers – No objection in principle. NI Water – No objection. NIHE – Supports the proposal for social housing.”

“Environmental Health – No objection. BCC LDP Housing – No objection. BCC LDP Environment – No objection. BCC Trees and Landscape – No objection.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent endorsed approval, citing housing delivery, the site’s location, regeneration, green travel measures and compliance with planning policy.

Committee discussion

The Committee considered additional information after a site fire and was told that the fire was confined to a small area and had no material impact.

“The Senior Planning Officer summarised the application for the Committee and explained that the Committee had deferred consideration of the application, at its meeting in February, in order to review additional information following a fire at the application site, prior to the Committee meeting.”

“He reported that officers had subsequently carried out a further site visit and reported that the fire had been confined to a small area within the auditorium building…”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The Committee granted planning permission subject to conditions and a Section 76 planning agreement, with delegated authority for non-substantive final wording and related 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 conditions and Section 76 planning agreement, and to deal with any other issues that might arise, provided the issues were not substantive.”

Minutes