30-home development at On land accessed off Ashley Park, Ballinamallard

What was proposed

The application proposed 30 dwellings on land accessed from Ashley Park, including land west of Mullaghmeen Road and south and east of Ashley Park.

“Proposal: Proposed residential development for 30 dwellings…”

“Location: On land accessed off Ashley Park, Ballinamallard (including lands to the west of no. Mullaghmeen Road and lands to the south and east of Ashley Park).”

Officer report

The site

The site comprised agricultural fields within Ballinamallard and included trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order.

“Site Details The site includes a number of agricultural fields inside the settlement of Ballinamallard. Access to proposal is from the Ashley Park.”

“The site contains trees that are subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), and these are considered and addressed within this report.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier proposals included a withdrawn residential application and an outline residential application approved in March 2013.

“L/2008/1061/F – Application for a residential development on the lands and additional lands to the west withdrawn prior to determination.”

“L/2011/0802/O - Application for a residential development on the lands and additional lands to the west approved March 2013”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the scale and layout appropriate, neighbours’ amenity protected, and environmental, heritage and infrastructure matters addressable through conditions.

“This is a full application for a housing development of 30 dwellings in Ballinamallard off Ashley Park. The scale and layout is in keeping with the character of the existing residential area and the proposal will not unacceptably affect the amenity of any neighbours. It will not have an adverse impact on environmental or built heritage features. Part of the housing will connect into the public NIW infrastructure with the remaining houses using a private treatment plant.”

Officer report

Advice from consultees

DfI Roads, environmental health, heritage and natural environment consultees were content or advised conditions, while wastewater arrangements required further agreement with NI Water.

“Environmental Health Service advised it is ‘content with conditions’. Two conditions are suggested:”

“NIEA Water Management Unit (WMU) has considered the impacts of the proposal on the water environment and would advise the proposal has the potential to adversely affect the surface water environment. They note that it is the applicant’s intention to dispose of foul sewage, arising from the western section of this development, via a Package Treatment Plant.”

Officer report

What residents said

Residents objected to construction disruption, road capacity, traffic, safety, lighting, environmental effects, sewage arrangements and housing policy concerns.

“Four representations from individuals and a letter from “The Residents of Ashley Park” have been received objecting to the application. These are available to view on the Planning Portal. The issues raised can be summarised as: • Disruption during construction – noise, dust, dirt, and heavy site traffic obstructing access to homes. • Inadequate road infrastructure – existing roads, especially near houses 14– 18, are too narrow for extra traffic from 30 new dwellings.”

“Impact on character and property values – loss of Ashley Park’s quiet, exclusive character may reduce property desirability and value. • Foul Sewage- states Private Treatment Plant would be utilised but that dwellings 16-30 would be connected to public sewage system • Contrary to HOU01-application is for 30 dwellings, a substantial number when added to the over-capacity of 26 as calculated through the Council’s Housing Monitoring Report.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support, describing pre-application consultation, revisions reducing the scheme from 51 to 30 homes and one Ashley Park access.

The vote

A member proposed approval, another member seconded it, and the committee agreed unanimously.

“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.”

“RESOLVED: On the proposal of Councillor O’Reilly, seconded by Councillor Robinson, and unanimously agreed, that the above application be approved planning permission, subject to the eighteen conditions listed within Paragraph 7.0 of Appendix 2 and the accompanying legal agreement. (”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was approved subject to eighteen conditions and an accompanying legal agreement securing affordable housing.

“The Principal Planning Officer outlined the background and the reasons for recommending that the above application be granted planning permission. He advised Members that the application was accompanied by a legal agreement which would secure the provision of affordable housing.”

Minutes