Infill dwelling at Site Between Site Between 56 & 58 Ballykenver Road, Armoy

“No: LA01/2023/0580/O Ward: Torr Head and Rathlin App Type: Outline Address: Site Between 56 & 58 Ballykenver Road, Armoy, BT53 8TR Proposal: Single new infill dwelling (part 2 storey & part 1.5 storey) with extended garage and covered area, associated siteworks and alterations to existing shared entrance.”

“This site is situated on the Ballykenver Road to the west of Armoy. The site is essentially part of the wider curtilage of 58 Ballykenver Road which has been subdivided by timber fencing around the dwelling at 58. The west boundary is defined by a hedge to the neighbouring lane for 56 Ballykenver Road. There is an existing access at the southwest with the road and a low solid wall to the remaining boundary with the road.”

“58 Ballykenver Road which is identified in the blue line on the location map is a semi detached one and a half storey dwelling with neighbouring 60 Ballykenver. The site is an area surrounded by fields with a rural character. The wider area is rural in nature and characterised by agricultural lands and single rural dwellings and farm holdings.”

“The principle of development is considered unacceptable having regard to Policy CTY8 as the proposal fails to meet with the provisions for infill dwellings as the application site is not sited within a small gap site within an otherwise substantial and continuously built-up frontage.”

“It has not been demonstrated that a safe and convenient access can be provided with car parking and circulation within the site.”

“DFI Roads: Request further information. Environmental Health: No objection NI Water: No objection NIEA Water Management Unit: No objection DfI Rivers Agency: No objection…”

“First to establish if there is a substantially and continuously built up frontage which is defined as 3 or more buildings along a road frontage without accompanying development to the rear, we have to look at the facts on the ground. Nos 60 and 58 are a pair of semi-detached dwellings that front the Ballykenver Road and count as 2 buildings, within the plot of No 58 is a garage with frontage to the Ballykenver Road which counts as the third building.”

“(Slide) Aerial shot of the site showing the siting of the dwelling. Policy CTY 8 also requires that proposed development reflects the character of the surrounding area in terms of the size, scale, siting and plot sizes. As you can see the building line of the 3 existing buildings present a strong frontage to the road.”

“Proposed by Alderman Hunter Seconded by Alderman Boyle - That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for recommendation set out in Section 9 and the policies and guidance in sections 7 and 8 and resolves to REFUSE planning permission subject to the conditions set out in section 10.”

“The Chair put the motion to the Committee to vote. Members voted For; Members voted Against; Members Abstained. The Chair declared the motion carried and application refused…”