120-home residential development at Lands at and to the rear of 120 Corrody Road and immediately adjacent and South West of 120 Corrody Road

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for housing, open space, demolition, road widening, a footpath, a bus turning area and associated works.

“LA11/2022/0377/O - Proposed residential development, involving demolition of existing buildings and provision of new housing with open space and infrastructural improvements to the Corrody Road to facilitate road widening, inclusion of pedestrian footpath and bus turning area and associated works at Lands at and to the rear of 120 Corrody Road and immediately adjacent and South- West of 120 Corrody Road Derry BT47 2QH”

Minutes

The site and its setting

The site is in the countryside outside Derry’s settlement limit and within the designated Green Belt, with rural buildings and long views towards it.

“LA11/2022/0377/O. The site is located in a rural location with a number of existing detached rural dwellings and buildings dispersed along Corrody Road. The application site slopes gradually to the South, it sits on the skyline beyond Top of the Hill and there are also long range views of the site from the city side, from the city cemetery and surrounding area.”

“Site Constraints • The application site is located outside the settlement limits of Derry and is therefore within the countryside. • The site is located within the designated GreenBelt…”

Officer report

Planning history

There was no relevant previous planning history for the site, and neighbours were notified and re-notified during the application process.

“Neighbour Notification Report Neighbours were notified on 28 th June 2022 and were re-notified of revised plans and information on 12 th January 2024, 15 th May 2024, 2 nd July 2024, 24 th February 2025 and 3 rd /31 st July 2025.”

“Relevant Site History There is no relevant previous planning history associated with this application site.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended refusal

Officers found no policy support or exceptional justification for major housing in this Green Belt countryside location, where housing land was available within the city.

“12.Summary of issues and Reasons for Refusal 12.1 Summary and Conclusion The proposal is for outline planning permission for a large urban residential development in the countryside. The proposal does not fall within any of the acceptable policy to permit housing in the greenbelt or countryside. There is no policy to support this proposal…”

“The proposal is located outside the settlement limit and is not considered in principle to be acceptable or sustainable within the green belt countryside area. The applicant has not satisfactorily demonstrated any exceptional circumstances that there is no other land available to meet the identified housing need. Therefore, officers consider there is no justification for this speculative major residential development in the countryside.”

Officer report

Support and objections

Three letters supported social housing and community benefits, while fifteen objections raised concerns about policy, amenity, wildlife, sewerage, traffic and rural character.

“Representations 10.2.1 Letters of Support A total of 3 letters of support have been submitted to date. Letters have been received. Summary of supporting comments; • There is a significant need for social housing in the area, growing waiting lists and reliance on temporary accommodation • Lack of available/ suitable land within Waterside 1 • Community support • Local homes for Local people - close to children school, family and churches • The applicant has agreed to…”

“Development proposed to alter access not within their ownership, no permission/ agreement to do so. Objections to Impact on residential amenity • Number of units and cumulative impact of adjacent development will have a serious impact on the area.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee gave speaking rights to the agent and applicant, who outlined reasons for approving the application.

What members debated

Councillor Jackson cited housing need and community benefits, considered the exception test met, disputed harm to rural character and accepted that water issues could be addressed.

“Councillor Jackson referred to the ‘H’ zoned lands in the City and the fact that most of the housing developments were completed and he could not overemphasise enough the need for this type of application to be supported because of the current housing crisis and the significant community benefits.”

“He stated that he was minded not to accept the Planning Officer’s recommendation to refuse the application. He referred to refusal reasons 1,2, 3 and 4 as outlined in detail within the report and stated that in his opinion the exception test of Policy HOU1 was met because of the need for social housing in the City.”

Minutes

The committee decision

The committee overturned the refusal recommendation and resolved to approve the application subject to standard conditions, before referral to DfI.

“The Committee Resolved to overturn the Officer recommendation to refuse application LA11/2022/0377/O, and for an approval to be granted, subject to standard conditions.”

“The resolution will subsequently be referred to DfI, before a decision can be issued.”

Minutes