Solar parking canopies at 4 Acorn Farm St Columbs Road, Londonderry

What was proposed

The application proposed car parking canopies with roof-mounted solar panels at 4 Acorn Farm, St Columbs Road.

“Description of Proposed Development The proposal is for Proposal for the installation a car parking canopies with roof mounted solar panels.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a former military helicopter pad opposite Ebrington, within Derry’s settlement limits and Central Area, with community growing works under construction.

“Appendix 10 4. Site and Surrounding Area The application site comprises lands opposite Ebrington barracks site and would have previously been used as helicopter pad for the military and has recently been cleared of asphalt hardstanding, concrete bases, footings, redundant underground services and sundry items.”

“The surrounding area (outside of the park) is typically characterised by St Columb’s Park to the north and north west, Ebrington which houses offices, restaurants and hotel to the south and south west and Foyle Arena to the north east with residential properties further to the west.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier approvals covered community growing, parking, access roads, a maritime museum and related works; one public-realm application was refused.

“Relevant Site History • LA11/2016/0937/RM - Change of Use of former military buildings, including alterations and extension, to provide a Maritime Museum and Archive, parking, landscaping and associated works – APPROVED • LA11/2017/0541/RM - New vehicular/pedestrian access off Limavady Road via a new signalised junction to provide new internal street with associated landscaping, services and boundary treatment works – APPROVED • LA11/2017/1110/F - Outdoor community…”

“Columbs Road and St Columbs Park - REFUSED • LA11/2018/0700/LBC - alterations and extension of former military building to provide a bar/restaurant, landscaping and associated works.' - APPROVED • LA11/2021/0237/RM - Alterations & extension of former military buildings to provide the Maritime Museum and Archive, parking, landscaping and associated works – APPROVED • LA11/2022/0592/F - Outdoor community growing inclusive of domes and annex building, glasshouse, sheds,…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A Senior Planning Officer presented the application and advised that approval was recommended subject to conditions.

The vote

The vote was unanimous in support of the proposal.

“LA11/2025/0326/F - Proposal for the installation of car parking canopies with roof mounted solar panels at 4 Acorn Farm St Columbs Road, Londonderry, BT47 6LB. The Senior Planning Officer (SPO) presented the above application, details of which was previously circulated to Members. The SPO reported that having assessed all material considerations, including the Development Plan, relevant planning policies, relevant planning history, consultations etc.”

Minutes