Dwelling and domestic garage at Land Approx 95M East of No. 81 Mullaghboy Road, Bellaghy

What was proposed

The application sought outline permission for a dwelling and domestic garage on land about 95 metres east of 81 Mullaghboy Road.

“Summary of Consultee Responses: Description of Proposal This is an outline application for a site for proposed dwelling and domestic garage (submitted under Policy CTY 2a - New Dwelling in Existing Clusters) at land approximately 95m East of No. Mullaghboy Road, Bellaghy.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site was flat agricultural land outside the settlement, behind nearby houses, with sparse boundaries and surrounding scattered rural development.

“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.”

“…agricultural access, situated between No. 79a and No. Mullaghboy Road. The southern boundary of the site consists of a tall wooden fence and mature trees; a small part of the western boundary consists of wooden and wire fencing; and the remaining boundaries are undefined. The surrounding area is rural in nature, with predominantly agricultural land uses, with scattered dwellings and their associated outbuildings.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the proposal was not essential in the countryside and the cluster lacked a qualifying focal point.

“The site is an open agricultural field with undefined boundaries and what hedgerow that does exist is sparse. It is recommended that Members refuse this application on the basis that the cluster under consideration does not contain a viable and acceptable focal point.”

“Development Management Officer Report Committee Application Summary Committee Meeting Date: November 2024 Item Number: Application ID: LA09/2024/0699/O Target Date: September 2024 Proposal: Site for proposed dwelling and domestic garage (Submitted under Policy CTY 2a - New Dwelling in Existing Clusters) Location: Land Approx 95M East of No.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer presented the recommendation, and the agent addressed the committee about the building’s use as a focal point.

The committee debate

Members considered the additional information about business use and whether it provided enough evidence of a focal point for approval.

“Councillor D McPeake stated that shops which are no longer in existence have been taken as a focal point in the past. In this case, evidence has been provided in terms…”

Minutes

Why the decision was deferred

The committee deferred the application so a biodiversity checklist could be submitted before a decision was made.

“[name withheld] stated that if Members are minded to approve the application there still needs to be submission of a biodiversity checklist and ecological statement. When these have been considered the application can be brought back to Committee.”

“The HSP stated that the application should be deferred for submission of the biodiversity checklist.”

Minutes