New walking trail at Lands between the southern perimeter of Lough Meenameen and western permieter of lough Achork Trail Lough Navar Forest

What was proposed

The application proposed a new walking trail between Lough Meenameen and Lough Achork to add to and enhance existing trails.

“Proposal: New walking trail between Lough Meenameen and Lough Achork. To add to and enhance the existing trails at Lough Navar…”

“Proposed development New walking trail between Lough Meenameen and Lough Achork. To add to and enhance the existing trails at Lough Navar.”

Officer report

Site and planning history

The site lies in Lough Navar Forest, outside Belleek’s settlement limits, and no planning history was material to the proposal.

“Site Details The proposed site is located between the southern perimeter of Lough Meenameen and the western perimeter of Lough Achork Trail within Lough Navar Forest, outside the settlement limits of Belleek.”

“There is extensive planning history for new projects in the wider area but no planning history material to this proposal.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the low-profile trail would support tourism while avoiding unacceptable effects on amenity, landscape, rural character and protected features.

“DE05 - Rural Character The proposal benefits from its remote location along the Lough Navar Forest scenic drive which helps to obscure the development from critical views. Whilst the site is open to views, the building would be sited to make efficient use of the topography as a screen from views, aided by its low profile. This would ensure that the proposal will not be unduly prominent in the landscape and detract from the rural character.”

“TOU01 - Protection of Tourism Assets and Tourism Development The Council will not permit any form of development that would, in itself or in combination with existing or approved development, have an adverse impact on the intrinsic character or quality of a tourism asset or any part thereof, or diminish its tourism value, or part thereof.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

DfI Roads had no objections, DfI Rivers provided advice and Natural Environment Division had no concerns about natural heritage.

“DfI Roads has no objections. DfI Rivers has provided advice. DAERA NIEA Natural Environment Division has advised it has no concerns in relation to Natural Heritage.”

“Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) (Amendment) Regulations (NI) 2015”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Lead Planner advised Members that the application was non-contentious and could proceed without a presentation or speaking rights.

Members’ debate

Members had no questions before proceeding to decision-making, when a Member proposed the officer recommendation and another Member seconded it.

“As Members had no questions, they proceeded to decision making. A Member proposed the recommendation to approve planning permission, and this was seconded by another Member.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Members unanimously agreed to approve the application on the proposal of Councillor A Feely, seconded by Councillor McClaughry.

“RESOLVED: On the proposal of Councillor A Feely, seconded by Councillor McClaughry, and unanimously agreed, that the above application be approved planning permission, subject to the three conditions listed within Paragraph 12.0 of Appendix 3. (”

Minutes