Four self-contained flats at 21 Skegoneill Avenue, Belfast

What was proposed

The application proposed four self-contained flats by subdividing a shared dwelling and adding a two-storey rear extension after demolishing the existing rear return.

“Proposal: Subdivision of 6No. bed shared dwelling to provide 3No. self-contained flats, with demolition of single storey rear return and erection of two storey rear extension to provide 1no self-contained flat.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a three-storey Victorian red-brick end-of-terrace house in a mainly residential area with rear amenity space and generally on-street parking.

“The application site is located at 21 Skegoneill Avenue. The property is a 3-storey residential Victorian end-of terrace . This is finished in red brick with a slate roof. There is an enclosed amenity space to the rear of the building. The immediate area is predominantly residential.”

“The site is ‘white land’ within the urban area in BUAP. The proposed development site is developed and in use as a single dwelling. Description of Proposal…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal was acceptable, with conditions and delegated authority for non-substantive condition wording and other issues.

“Having regard to the development plan and other material considerations, the proposal is considered acceptable. It is recommended that planning permission is granted subject to conditions.”

“Delegated authority is sought for the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of the conditions and deal with any other issues that arise, provided that they are not substantive.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The assessment considered apartments, design, townscape character, residential amenity, outdoor space, parking, access, waste and refuse collection.

“The key issues to be considered in this application are:”

“The principle of apartments at this location • Design • Impact on the character and appearance of the Glandore Gardens draft ATC • Impact on residential amenity • Private amenity/landscaping • Traffic, Parking and Access • Waste and refuse collection…”

Officer report

Objections from neighbours

Four objection letters raised concerns about parking, traffic, waste, sewage, noise, antisocial behaviour, fly-tipping, overdevelopment and loss of light.

“Parking, traffic, road safety. Waste and refuse collection 3. Adverse impact on the sewage network 4. Anti-social behaviour/noise…”

“Adverse visual impact/anti-social behaviour/noise pollution 6. Fly tipping 7. Issues with property to the rear 8. Overdevelopment 9. Loss of light to adjacent property…”

Officer report

What speakers said

Representatives of the supported living service said the proposal would improve the therapeutic environment without increasing client numbers or parking pressure.

The committee decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to conditions and delegated authority for non-substantive matters.

“The Committee granted planning permission, subject to conditions and delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control to finalise the wording of the conditions and deal with any other issues that might arise, provided that they were not substantive. (Councillor Hanvey returned to the meeting.)”

Minutes