Walking trails at Lands between Ballygomartin Road and Upper Whiterock Road and to the west (rear) of Moyard Parade and New Barnsley

“Planning Committee Development Management Report Application ID: LA04/2024/1836/F Date of Committee: 20 th January 2026 Proposal: Proposed development of new walking trails linking Black Mountain Shared Space Project building (approved under LA04/2022/0853/F) on the Ballygomartin Road with the Upper Whiterock Road and Moyard Parade. Proposal to include gated accesses, stockproof fencing, seated areas, information signage, landscaping and associated site works.”

“The application site is irregularly shaped and measures approximately 10.6 Ha. The majority of the application sites lies outside the designated settlement limits of Belfast, with exception of small encroachments into the limits along the western boundary, e.g. at Moyard Parade. The site is located within the Belfast Hills.”

“The northern boundary of the site is defined by Ballygomartin Road. The eastern boundary of the site is defined by Shared space project building access from Ballygomartin Road and a number of residential developments (i.e. Moyard Crescent, Moyard Parade, New Barnsley Crescent). The southern boundary of the site is defined by the Whiterock Road and Newhill first steps centre, with the western boundary a mix of hedgerow or undefined.”

“There is no relevant site history, however there are a number of relevant planning permissions on surrounding lands:”

“LA04/2016/2207/F - Land southeast of Ballygomartin Road, north of Moyard Crescent and Northwest of Springfield Park and Springfield Heights, Belfast - Shared space building comprising sports hall, gym, dance/drama studio, social enterprise workshop (environmental focus), business units, meeting rooms, counselling/treatment rooms, café, educational facilities and performing arts space/exercise studio; with new access from Springfield Heights and to the Ballygomartin Road…”

“The proposal is not considered visually intrusive in terms of physical construction. It is considered the proposal will have no significant detrimental impact on rural amenity and environmental quality and is sensitive to the countryside location.”

“The development is designed to provide access to the Belfast Hills for local communities and link with the wider path network in the Belfast Hills. The proposed development improves the network of green infrastructure within the Council area and improves access to open space for residents and visitors.”

“He stated that, having regard to the Development Plan and material considerations, it was recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions.”

“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 to deal with any other issues that might arise, provided that they were not substantive.”