Off-site replacement dwelling at Lands 50M Southwest of No. 61A Leitrim Road, Castledawson

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for a replacement dwelling away from the existing dwelling on land southwest of Leitrim Road.

“Case Officer Report Site Location Plan This material is based upon Crown Copyright and is reproduced with the permission of Land & Property Services under delegated authority NIMA CS&LA581 from the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary Office © Crown copyright and database rights.”

“Ramsar) as defined within the Magherafelt Area Plan 2015. The existing dwelling is sited within a small triangular shaped plot measuring around 0.06 hectares, with a mix of mature trees and hedging along all boundaries. The dwelling comprises a brick construction, with an uneven off-white concrete render, tin roof, black rainwater goods, grey window frames and wooden grey door.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and site history

Nearby outline permissions, earlier replacement dwelling applications and a former modular building were considered when assessing the available curtilage.

“In addition, the off-site locus requires the roadside hedging to be set back, and two mature trees removed for sightlines as outlined by DfI Roads in their response dated the 13th of June 2024. The consensus of group is that this does not demonstrate a landscape benefit. The applicant writes that the proposed off-site location is immediately opposite the existing curtilage.”

“Orthophotography in 2021 and on Google Street View July 2021 (Google imagery below). I witnessed the concrete base still in place during a site visit in August 2024. To my mind, if a triangular parcel of land has capacity to site a small dwelling and a modular building with approximately 10 metres separating them, then logically the site could accommodate a modest sized dwelling with private amenity space.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

Ms McKinless, the planning officer, presented the application and advised that refusal was recommended.

Questions about trees and hedges

Councillors asked whether the frontage vegetation included mature trees and whether their removal had been considered; the officer described them as semi-mature trees and hedgerow.

“Councillor Bell sought clarification in relation to the vegetation and whether these were mature trees.”

“[name withheld] advised that the photographs would indicate that these would be semi mature trees and hedgerow along the frontage of the site at the northern section.”

Minutes