Outdoor dog activity park at The Vale Centre Clooney Road, Londonderry

What was proposed

The application sought to change an existing open green space into an outdoor dog activity park with two enclosed areas and an office container.

“EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • Full planning sought for a change of use from an existing open green space to an outdoor dog activity park located at The Vale Centre Clooney Road, Vale Business Park, Greysteel. • The proposal complies with the Northern Area Plan 2016, the SPPS ED 2 Para 6.201 and Policy OS1 of Planning Policy Statement 8, Open Space, Sport and Outdoor Recreation in that it does not result in the loss of existing open space or land zoned for the provision of open space.”

Officer report

The site

The site lies within the Vale Centre grounds, is accessed through the business park, and is zoned as major open space.

“The application site is located within the settlement of Greysteel and is zoned as an area of major open space as identified within the Northern Area Plan (NAP) 2016. The site is located within the grounds of the Vale Centre, Vale Business Park, Greysteel.”

“The site is accessed via the business park that leads to the playing field. The topography is flat and is located below the Vale Centre and the Clooney Road. The western boundary is currently defined by palisade fencing that also bounds hardstanding adjacent. All other boundaries are physically undefined.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered playing fields, craft units, an electricity line, sports facilities, car parking and a sports dome.

“RELEVANT HISTORY 3.1 Number: B/1994/0374 Decision: Permission Granted Decision Date: June 1995 Proposal: Change of use from farm land to playing fields (Phase 1 of an overall community development to include multi- purpose community hall and sports facilities and industrial units primarily community based start-up units).”

“Application Number: LA01/2020/1207/F Decision: Permission Granted Decision Date: June 2021 Proposal: Proposed erection of sports dome with 3G playing surface, associated car parking, landscaping and all other site works…”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

The proposal would provide a controlled recreational facility, community benefits, solar panels and no significant effect on protected sites.

“The Planning Statement clarifies that the location is within a facility that already accommodates community and recreational uses. The proposal is recreational/community in nature, aligns with the aims of promoting health and recreation, reuses existing facilities, and integrates sustainability. It provides public benefit in animal welfare and community engagement.”

“The proposal has included solar panels to be installed on the shipping container. Paragraph 9.3.1 of the Best Practice Guidance to Planning Policy Statement 18 ‘Renewable Energy’ states planning has an important role to play in encouraging the greater application of Passive Solar Design principles, particularly amongst house builders, and in the design of public buildings such as schools and some commercial buildings.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

No letters of representation were received, and Environmental Health and DFI Roads raised no objections.

“No letters of representation have been received.”

“Internal Council Environmental Health: No objection Department for Infrastructure (Roads): No objection…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Development Management local applications Manager presented the proposal and recommendation to the committee.

Committee discussion

No questions were put to the officer before a motion was proposed and seconded to approve the application.

“There were no questions put to the Officer.”

“Proposed by Councillor Anderson Seconded by Councillor Kennedy - That the Committee agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in section 9 and the policies and guidance in sections 7 and 8 and resolves to APPROVE full planning permission subject to the reasons set out in section 10.”

Minutes

The vote

Ten members voted for approval, with none against and none abstaining, and the Vice Chair declared the motion carried.

“The Vice Chair put the motion to the Committee to vote. Members voted For; Members voted Against, 0 Members Abstained. The Vice Chair declared the motion carried and application approved.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved full planning permission subject to the stated reasons and conditions.

“RESOLVED - That the Committee agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in section 9 and the policies and guidance in sections 7 and 8 and resolves to APPROVE full planning permission subject to the reasons set out in section 10.”

Minutes