Four-bedroom HMO at 6 Mountjoy Street, Londonderry

The site

The site is a three-storey terraced dwelling in a predominantly residential part of Derry, with a small rear yard and on-street parking.

“Site and Surrounding Area The application site is 6 Mountjoy Street, a three-storey terrace dwelling with a dormer window to the front and rear. There is a single-storey rear return finished in painted render and pvc windows with a small yard to the rear. There is on street parking along Mountjoy Street and the surrounding area. The site is located within the development limits of Derry in a predominantly residential area, in the Central Area. Figure 1 – Site Location Plan…”

Officer report

Earlier permission

Permission was granted in 1991 to replace the existing flat roof over the dormer window with a pitched roof.

“Planning History (Application Site) – Application Number: A/1991/0355 Decision: Permission Granted Decision Date: July 1991 Proposal: Replacement of existing flat roof over dormer window with pitched roof.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the HMO met the relevant HMO criteria, stayed below the street threshold, and would not cause significant amenity, transport or heritage harm.

“Policy HOU 14 states that planning permission will only be granted for HMO development where all five criteria are met. These criteria are assessed accordingly below: • The proposal is for a four-bedroom HMO which therefore does not exceed the four-bedroom threshold within the first criteria. • The gross internal floor space of the original property measures approx.”

“Design Policy GDPOL 2 sets out nine design criteria which are required to be demonstrated, where applicable. The retention of the rear dormer is considered acceptable and it is considered that, GDPOL 2 is complied with in so far as it relates to this application. Amenity & Human Health Criteria (i), (ii), (viii), (ix), (xiii), (xiv) of Policy GDPOL 1 consider amenity and human health.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Environmental Health and Historic Environment Division raised no objections, while providing advice about noise, property management, waste and archaeological requirements.

“Consultee Responses Environmental Health- No objections, informatives provided regarding Noise Impact – Internal transmission of sound, Management of Property, Waste Storage and Disposal Arrangements Informative…”

“HED: Historic Monuments - No objections, content that the proposal is satisfactory to SPPS and Derry City and Strabane District Council Local Development Plan 2032 archaeological policy requirements.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application and provided an overview of its background and policy assessment.

The committee vote

Councillor Jackson proposed approval, Councillor Logue seconded it, and the proposal was carried with councillors voting for or abstaining.

“LA11/2024/0722/F - Retention of rear dormer and Change of Use from house in single family use to multiple occupation (HMO) with associated internal alterations at 6 Mountjoy St, Londonderry The Senior Planning Officer presented the above application, details of which were previously circulated to Members.”

“For: Councillors Boyle, Devine, Fleming, Gallagher, Heaney, Jackson, Leonard, Logue, Murphy, Reilly and Seenoi-Barr. Abstentions: Aldermen Kerrigan, McMorris and Montgomery. The Proposal was therefore Carried. The Committee Resolved to support the recommendation LA11/2024/0722/F, to approve application subject to conditions as outlined within the report.”

Minutes