Two infill dwellings at Lands between No 56 Omagh Road, Drumquin, Omagh

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for two infill dwellings on a gap site.

“Characteristics of the Site and Area The proposal site is located on lands between No. Omagh Road & No. Drumrawn Road which is located just outside the settlement limits of Drumquin and is deemed to be open countryside as per the Local Development Plan: Plan Strategy 2030. The immediate area is characterised by single dwellings and farm buildings although the built-up residential fabric of Drumquin is a short distance to the northwest of the site.”

“This is an outline application for the erection of two infill dwellings on a gap site.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions covered an 11 Kv rural spur, a dwelling and garage site, and a single-storey dwelling with a detached garage.

“Application Number: K/1996/0518 Decision: Permission Granted Decision Date: October 1996 Proposal: Kv Rural Spur Application Number: K/2005/0915/O Decision: Permission Granted Decision Date: January 2006 Proposal: Site for dwelling and domestic garage Application Number: K/2007/1421/RM Decision: Permission Granted Decision Date: February 2008 Proposal: Erection of single storey dwelling with porch, sunroom and detached domestic garage. Planning Constraints…”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended refusal because the proposal conflicted with policies on sustainable development, rural character, infilling and visual breaks.

“The proposal is contrary to Strategic Policy SP01 – Furthering Sustainable Development, Policy DE03 – Sustaining Rural Communities and Policy DE05 - Rural Character: • criteria (b) as it will result in a suburban style build-up of development when considered with existing buildings; and • criteria (c) as it does not respect the traditional pattern of settlement exhibited in that area; and • criteria (d) it will create a ribbon of development…”

“The proposal is contrary to Strategic Policy SP01 - Furthering Sustainable Development and Policy DE03 - Sustaining Rural Communities, Policy DE05 Rural Character and Policy HOU 13 as the site is an important visual break between existing buildings in the landscape and the proposed development will result in a suburban style of build-up of development when viewed with existing buildings.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

NI Water recommended approval with conditions, DFI Roads had no objection subject to conditions, and one letter of support was received.

“Consultations NI Water response published 23rd September 2025, Approval has been recommended with standardised conditions. The Conditions provided on the response do not meet the tests of planning conditions and will be added on as informatives, NI Water have been notified in writing of this.”

“DFI Roads response published 24th September 2025, advise that they are content subject to compliance with a conditions.”

Officer report

Support for the proposal

The support letter said housing was needed, the proposal complied with HOU13, suited nearby properties and would preserve mature boundaries.

“Representations No objections have been made to the application however there has been a letter of support from Cllr AnnMarie Donnelly which outlines that…”

“Housing is much needed in the area and would benefit the locality • The proposed sites are in compliance with HOU13. • The proposal would greatly enhance the location and will be in keeping with the properties within the vicinity of the site. • The site can preserve the mature boundary boundaries existing onsite. • The applicant is a highly respected member of the local community and will contribute positively to the locality.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A supporter addressed the committee and argued that the site was an enclosed infill gap within an established roadside frontage.

The decision

The committee refused permission for the three stated reasons and an additional reason under HOU13 Paragraph One rounding off.

“The Principal Planning Officer noted that the agent had put forward a case that the proposal met Paragraph One of HOU13, and therefore an additional reason for refusal was required. He stated that the proposal was contrary to Strategic Policy SP01 - Furthering Sustainable Development and Policy DE03 - Sustaining Rural Communities, and Policy HOU13 Paragraph One Rounding Off as the proposal was for more than one dwelling and did not meet criteria a, b, c, f, g and h in…”

“RESOLVED: On the proposal of Councillor Irvine, seconded by Councillor McClaughry, and by the majority of votes cast, that the above application be refused planning permission, for the three reasons listed within Paragraph 8.0 of Appendix 3, along with the additional refusal reason under Paragraph One Rounding Off of Policy HOU13. (”

Minutes

Additional refusal reason

The additional reason said the proposal involved more than one dwelling and did not meet the listed Paragraph One rounding-off criteria.

“The proposer and seconder were content to include the additional reason for refusal within the original proposal.”

Minutes