Four detached dwellings at 15 Aghafad Road, Fintona

The original proposal

The application proposed seven dwellings and estate roads, arranged along a central access road with two homes facing the road.

“The proposal is for a new housing development and estate road in Fintona which is designated as a local town in the Plan Strategy. Although the application is an outline planning application it is accompanied by a site layout plan showing seven houses and an estate road. The scale and density and layout of the proposed houses is not consistent with local scale and character and does not create or enhance a sense of local identity and distinctiveness.”

“Proposed development This is an outline application for a new housing development and estate road. The proposed development consists of seven dwellings arranged along a central access road with two units fronting directly onto Aghafad Road. The dwellings will be a mix of detached and semi‑detached 3‑bedroom homes…”

Officer report

The site

The 0.4-hectare site contained a vacant dwelling and outbuilding, an adjoining field and mature hedgerow boundaries within Fintona’s settlement limits.

“Site Details The application site comprises 0.4 hectares of land containing a vacant dwelling and outbuilding and an adjoining field within the settlement limits of Fintona. It fronts directly onto the Aghafad Road, with mature hedgerows defining its boundaries.”

Officer report

Earlier application and changes

After the original scheme was deferred, an amended scheme was submitted and assessed, reducing the proposal to four detached dwellings.

“The Senior Planning Officer advised Members that, following the deferral of the application at the June Planning Committee meeting, where it was recommended for refusal, an amended scheme had been submitted and assessed. As a result, the revised proposal, which now comprised four detached dwellings, was recommended for approval, subject to conditions.”

Minutes

Access and housing policy

The original proposal did not demonstrate control of land for visibility splays or provide the required frontage footpath and crossing point.

“DfI Roads has provided advice in respect of the necessary works for the new access and infrastructural improvements that are required. The application has not demonstrated control of the lands necessary to provide the visibility splays in both directions or show a new footpath across the site frontage and a pedestrian crossing point to connect into the existing public footway.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

NI Water recommended refusal unless the applicant engaged with it, while one representation objected to character, privacy, noise, traffic and overdevelopment.

“NI Water has advised that it recommends refusal but that subject to the applicant engaging with NI Water as outlined in their response, NI Water may reconsider its recommendation. (Published on Portal on 09 September 2025). The issues raised are considered further within the report.”

“One representation has been received which is summarised as: • This development would completely change the character of our area. • Also very concerned about privacy - the new houses would directly overlook the objector’s home and garden, taking away the peace and enjoyment they currently have. • Increased noise and activity from seven households will make a big difference to the quiet atmosphere they value.”

Officer report

What the officer told members

The Senior Planning Officer said the revised layout addressed concerns about density, character and amenity and reflected nearby detached houses.

The committee vote

A proposal to approve was seconded and agreed unanimously.

“At this juncture, a Member proposed the recommendation to approve planning permission, and this was seconded by another Member.”

“RESOLVED: On the proposal of Councillor McElduff, seconded by Councillor Rainey, and agreed unanimously, that the above application be approved planning permission, subject to the ten conditions listed within Paragraph 8.0 of Appendix 2. (”

Minutes

The final decision

Planning permission was approved for the revised proposal of four detached dwellings, subject to ten conditions.

“The Senior Planning Officer advised Members that an objection had previously been received in relation to the original application for seven dwellings, however, no objections had been received in respect of the revised proposal.”

Minutes