Agricultural shed at Approx 150M SW of 276 Mountjoy Road, Stewartstown

“Fig 5, 6 & 7: Existing vehicular access off the Mountjoy Road and the first half of a gravelled lane serving no. Mountjoy Road. There are no views into the site from the public road due the topography of the area and its set back location, well enclosed by a mix of mature vegetation and trees.”

“As detailed further below ‘Planning Assessment of Policy and Other Material Considerations’ the new shed is proposed to provide adequate accommodation for his animals and equipment it is proposed to store haylage; fertiliser; feed and medicines. Access to the agricultural lands / shed as seen below (Fig 9) is proposed via an existing access and lane off Mountjoy Road, which serves no.”

“Fig 2: Site outlined red with no. Mountjoy Road, a vacant two storey dwelling, highlighted blue to the northeast. The site is an irregular shaped plot set back from and accessed off the Mountjoy Road, a minor rural road. It comprises agricultural lands enclosed by a mix of post and wire fencing, mature vegetation and trees.”

“Based on the information including farm maps submitted that the applicant has no existing farm buildings on the holding. This will be the first building / shed on the holding, as such cannot be sited beside existing farm buildings. Taking account of all the above this proposal for a new building / shed fails to meet to Policy CTY 12 of PPS 21 in that it will be the first building / shed on the holding and therefore cannot be sited beside existing farm buildings.”

“…will not result in detrimental impact on the amenity of residential dwellings outside the holding Committee members may want to consider an exception to policy be made in these particular circumstances subject to standard conditions for time, landscaping and access arrangements; and conditions recommended by SES and NIEA to protect the natural environment.”

“Consultee Representations: Letters of Support0 Letters Non Committal0 Letters of Objection0 Number of Support Petitions and signatures Number of Petitions of Objection and signatures Summary of Issues Contrary to Policies CYTY 1 and CTY 12 of PPS 21 in that it this will be the first building / shedon the holding and therefore cannot be sited beside existing farm buildings.”

“On the 28 th May 2021 the Council submitted the draft Plan Strategy to DFI for them to cause an Independent Examination, In light of this, the draft Plan Strategy does not yet carry determining weight. Representations Press advertisement and Neighbour Notification have been carried out in line with the Council's statutory duty. At the time of writing, no third-party objections were received.”

“The HLP said that it was up to members to make the decision, but she would like to see evidence of the shed which is currently being rented out being made no longer available from June 2026. And would like to be sure that there was not a dwelling and a garage at the applicant’s home where a new building on a farm could be sited beside. If members feel they have all the relevant information for exceptionally, then it was up to them to decide.”

“The HLP said that based on what [name withheld] alluded to, she apologised as there was evidence that [name withheld] had submitted the relevant documentation confirming the shed had been sold and needed vacating from June 2026.”

“Councillor McElvogue seconded Councillor Kerr’s proposal to approve the application as there was a need for the applicant to have a building to house his animals from June next year and now needs to be the time to start building.”

“Councillor Graham said that based on clarification of information she would be happy to support Councillors Kerr and McElvogue to agree to the exception to the policy and approve the application.”

“Resolved That planning application LA09/2025/0004/F be approved subject to conditions as per the officer’s report.”