Dwelling and garage at 80m N-W of No 4 Crockan Road, Fyfin, Glenmornan, Strabane

What was proposed

The application sought permission to erect a dwelling and garage 80 metres north-west of No 4 Crockan Road.

“LA11/2024/0496/F - Erection of dwelling and garage, 80m N-W of No 4 Crockan Road, Fyfin, Glenmornan, Strabane, BT82 0HZ The Senior Planning Officer (SPO) presented the above application, details of which was previously circulated to Members. The SPO reported that based on the assessment of the proposal against all relevant planning policies and other material considerations, it was recommended to refuse planning permission, for reasons as outlined within the report.”

Minutes

The site and surroundings

The proposal was assessed as an infill site beside Crockan Road, with existing settlement and countryside forming the planning context.

“Conclusion and Recommendation The proposal is submitted as an ‘infill site’ and as discussed above has been assessed as such under Policy HOU 23 of the LDP PS. The proposal is not considered to be the development of a small infill or gap site, sufficient only to accommodate one house, within an otherwise substantial and continuously built-up frontage along Crockan Road and therefore does not meet the policy requirements of Policy HOU 23 of the LDP PS.”

“The proposal is contrary to Policy CY 3 of Derry City and Strabane District Council Local Development Plan 2032 - Plan Strategy, in that the proposal would, if permitted mar the distinction between the existing settlement of Glenmornan and the surrounding countryside, resulting in urban sprawl.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the proposal would create ribbon development, urban sprawl and harm the rural character of the area.

“The proposal is contrary to Policy HOU 23 of Derry City and Strabane District Council Local Development Plan 2032 - Plan Strategy, in that the proposal does not constitute the development of a small infill or gap site, sufficient only to accommodate one house, within an otherwise substantial and continuously built-up frontage and if permitted would create a ribbon development on the Crockan Road, detrimental to visual amenity and rural character of the area.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application, and the committee allowed the agent’s representative to speak.

Members’ discussion

Members considered whether the applicant should have more time to provide evidence showing compliance with Policy HOU 22.

“The Head of Planning in response to Councillor Leonard, clarified that in the interim period the Policy framework included the Strabane Area Plan (SAP) 1986-2001 (Maps Only) and that was the position taken forward from the Independent Public Examination of the Local Development Plan process. She further reiterated that all applications including those already in the planning system will now be assessed against the newly adopted LDP Plan 2032 – Plan Strategy in going forward.”

“Councillor Leonard stated that based on the information provided by the Agent that he felt it was appropriate on this occasion, to allow the applicant more time to submit evidence to justify compliance of the proposal with Policy HOU 22 of the DCSDC Local Development Plan 2032.”

Minutes

The vote

A proposal to defer the application until the next planning committee meeting was unanimously supported.

“Councillor Leonard Proposed, Seconded by Councillor Devine that the application be deferred until next month’s Planning Committee Meeting.”

“Members unanimously supported the above proposal.”

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The decision

The committee deferred the application so further information on compliance with Policy HOU 22 could be provided before reconsideration.

“The Head of Planning advised that the applicant will be required to provide a statement outlining how the proposal complied with Policy HOU 22, within the next 4 weeks. The application will be presented for consideration at the next available Planning Committee Meeting.”

Minutes