Samaritans office at 16 Buncrana Road, Londonderry

What was proposed

The application proposed changing a dwelling into a Samaritans office, with parking changes, an access ramp and minor internal alterations.

“2.Des cription of Proposed Development The application is for full planning permission for the change of use from a dwelling house to offices with other external alterations to parking, the provision of an access ramp to the front of the property and minor internal alterations at 16 Buncrana Road in Londonderry.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a detached two-storey dwelling with gardens, parking and mature boundaries on a road containing residential and other uses.

“Site and Surrounding Area The application site is located at No. Buncrana Road and comprises a two-storey detached dwelling set within a defined residential curtilage. The property is finished with a brown concrete pitched tiled roof, white uPVC framed windows, and a red brick external façade. The main entrance is defined by a flat-roofed entrance canopy with stonework detailing and a dark brown timber entrance door to the front of the property.”

Officer report

Planning history

There was no relevant planning history on the site.

“Site Constraints The southeastern portion of the site is within the predicted climate change pluvial floodplain…”

“Planning H istory No relevant planning history on site…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

NI Water, Environmental Health, DFI Roads and NIE raised no objections, while DFI Rivers identified reservoir inundation and flood-risk matters.

“Consultee Responses • NI Water – no objection • Environmental Health – no objection • DFI Roads : no objection • DFI Rivers advise that the site is within a potential area of inundation emanating from the Creggan Upper and Creggan Lower Reservoir. This is discussed in further detail in section 11 below. • NIE has no objection to the proposal and has provided guidelines in relation to existing Low Voltage and High Voltage underground cabling bordering the proposal site.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two speakers gave reasons against the application, while an architect and a Samaritans representative spoke in support.

The vote and decision

Members unanimously approved the application, subject to conditions, after agreeing to change one condition from four staff to four vehicles on site.

“She sought approval for the condition to be amended to state that no more than 4 vehicles on site at any given time. This was agreed. Councillor Jackson Proposed, Seconded by Councillor Boyle to support the recommendation to approve planning permission, subject to conditions as outlined within the report. The outcome of the vote was unanimous in support of the Proposal.”

Minutes