Farm dwelling and garage at 30M West of 39 Castle Road, Cookstown

“LA09/2024/1452/O ACKN Development Management Officer Report Committee Application Summary Committee Meeting Date: May 2026 Item Number: Application ID: LA09/2024/1452/O Target Date: March 2025 Proposal: Farm dwelling and garage Location: 30M West of 39 Castle Road Cookstown…”

“…comprises a small part of a larger 4 hectare area agricultural field. The site sits slightly lower than the adjacent Castle Road, with access via an agricultural field gate. The site is bounded by dwelling no. Castle Road to the east which is the applicant's current address. The southern and western boundaries are undefined and the northern roadside boundary is marked by field hedgerow.”

“Planning History None Representations To date no third party representations have been received. Cookstown Area Plan 2010 The rural countryside site is located 40 metres east and outside of the Cookstown settlement limits as defined by the Cookstown Area Plan 2010.”

“…years 2023-2025 also provide that there is a degree of current activity associated with the applicant [name withheld], who is both the applicant and farm business owner. On this basis it is accepted that the farm business is currently active. Policy CTY 10 also asks that the farm business be established for at least 6 years.”

“Moreover there has been no evidence of the applicant’s involvement in his mother’s farm business that would provide for a degree of continuity that might merit broadening the scope of the Policy. On this basis it is not agreed that the current farm business has been active for the required 6 years and thus the application for a farm dwelling is premature. The proposal fails to meet this part of Policy CTY 10.”

“It is concurred that the site is of little ecological value and that the proposed development would be unlikely to cause significant environmental impacts. The proposed development is unlikely to result in the unacceptable adverse impact of, or damage to known priority habitats, species or features of natural heritage importance. The proposal is acceptable under Policy NH 5 of PPS 2.”

“The proposed development is within the vesting corridor for the planned A29 Cookstown bypass project as associated with the draft vesting and direction orders. If permitted the development would prejudice the implementation of this strategically significant Northern Ireland Regional project’ – DfI Roads response dated 16/12/2024 It is therefore taken that the proposal is contrary to Policy AMP 4 of PPS 3, in that it would prejudice the implementation of a transport scheme…”

“Agreed that application be deferred for an office meeting earlier in meeting.”