One dwelling and garage at Lands adjacent to and immediately South West of Dungannon Golf Club 34 Springfield Lane Dungannon

The site

The site lies just outside Dungannon, between a neighbouring dwelling and the golf club’s car park, with the golf course to the west.

“The red line of the site is a rectangular shaped plot of land nestled between number 34 Springfield lane and the car park associated with Dungannon golf club which is in the greenbelt. The site incorporates a tee box and part of a fair way at the hole closest to the golf club.”

Officer report

Earlier applications and discussions

A previous proposal concerned housing to fund golf-course improvements, and this application was deferred for further discussion before the recommendation changed.

“This application was before the Planning Committee in May 2025 with a recommendation to refuse. The application was deferred for an office meeting with the Servicer Lead to allow further discussions. At a meeting on 12 June 2025, the agents advised this is on part of the old course that has been repurposed. The Golf Club has seen an increase in its numbers and is catering for a growing youth and ladies section.”

“Following the meeting the Dungannon Golf Club Course Convenor set out the reasons for the development. The club has undertaken 2 major improvements to he course on the last number of years. There is a growing demand for youth and lady members as well as those with disabilities, these sections require additional changing and training facilities. The development would allow for additional finance to invest n the future of the club.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the proposal an exception for open-space redevelopment and found it would not harm the distinction between the settlement and countryside.

“This is a unique case given its location and the special set of circumstances that have been presented. The definition of Open Space as set out in PPS8 includes golf courses within the broad range of open spaces that are of public value. As this is an area of open space, OS1 provides protection to it but also allows for some development in certain circumstances.”

“CTY15 sets out that urban sprawl or development that mars the distinction between the settlement and the surrounding countryside (my emphasis), will be refused. In this case, while the site is not in the settlement limits, it has the development within the settlement on one side and is surrounded on the other 3 sides by the golf course and the carpark and buildings for Dungannon Golf Club.”

Officer report

Neighbour concerns

Two third-party objections were received from occupiers of neighbouring Springfield Lane properties.

“The proposal seeks full planning permission for the rounding off of surplus lands to provide dwelling and domestic garage. History LA09/2024/0944/PAD - Rounding off of surplus lands to provide housing to generate money to re-invest in the upgrade of the golf course on recreational lands – PAD CONCLUDED 07.01.2025 Representations At the time of writing there have been two number third party objections from the occupiers of…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer explained the earlier refusal, the open-space replacement and the proposed golf-course extension.

What members discussed

A councillor asked how the application changed from refusal to approval and raised fencing, nets and safeguarding against stray golf balls.

“Councillor Varsani said that she was aware that this application had been refused earlier in the year and sought clarity on what steps have been taken to get it from a refusal to an approval. The member wished to make an additional point in terms of safeguarding, fencing and nets for houses along that road from stray golf balls which has been an ongoing issue.”

“Councillor Varsani thanked the case officer for his update and said that it was good to ensure that all aspects had been considered. Although they may seem small issues, they were huge issues for residents and happy to see there is a deterrent in place for stray golf balls.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved the application subject to the conditions set out in the officer’s report.

“Resolved That planning application LA09/2024/1390/O be approved subject to conditions as per the officer’s report.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

Conditions require reserved matters, floor-level details, safe access with visibility splays and boundary landscaping.

“Approval of the details of the siting, design and external appearance of the buildings, the means of access thereto and the landscaping of the site (hereinafter called "the reserved matters"), shall be obtained from Mid Ulster District Council, in writing, before any development is commenced.”

“Prior to the commencement of any works or other development hereby permitted, the vehicular access, including visibility splays of 2.0m x 33.0m, shall be provided in accordance with the 1:500 site plan submitted as part of the reserved matters application.”

Officer report