12-unit housing development at Lands at 2 to 10 Killyleagh Street, Crossgar

What was proposed

The application proposed a housing development comprising four dwellings and eight apartments.

“Housing development comprising of 4 dwellings and 8 apartments.”

Officer report

Site and surroundings

The site was an irregular, partly tarmacked plot on Killyleagh Street in a mixed residential and commercial area of Crossgar.

“Site Visit Report Site Location Plan: The proposal is located at lands at 2 to 10 Killyleagh Street Crossgar…”

“Date of Site Visit: 22nd June 2022 Characteristics of the Site and Area The site is located along Killyleagh Street and comprises an irregular shaped plot which fronts directly onto Killyleagh Street. The plot comprises an area of hardstanding tarmac which is level with the road and is defined partially by a white rendered wall.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

Earlier permissions included rebuilding shop premises, temporary development, shop and restaurant uses, dwelling alterations and a restaurant conversion.

“Application Number: R/1973/0118 Decision: Permission Granted Decision Date: February 1974 Proposal: Rebuilding of Shop Premises.”

“Application Number: R/1998/4042 Decision: Permitted Development Decision Date: May 1998 Proposal: Alterations to rear of dwelling to include addition of new boiler house (finishes to match existing dwelling)”

Officer report

Consultation responses

NI Water, DFI Roads, NIEA Water Management Unit and Environmental Health raised no objections, while DFI Rivers required a response before NI Water’s approval.

“NIEA – Water Management Unit – No objections subject to NI Water response…”

“DFI Rivers – PDE Response required – NI Water now offering no objections to the proposal.”

Officer report

Objections from residents

A resident objected that the development would cause overshadowing, loss of light, visual impact, flooding, sewerage problems and harm to wellbeing.

“Objections & Representations In line with statutory requirements neighbours have been notified on 06-01-2025. The application was advertised in the Down Recorder on 01-06-2022.”

“[name withheld] 12 LISLEA DRIVE Two letters of objection have been received by the occupant of No 12 Lislea Drive, with Cllr Andrews also submitting and email to support [name withheld]. The main point of her objection are: • She is at a lower level – building will cause overshadowing and loss of light and block sunlight • Proposal is in close proximity to her property • She will be looking at the gable end and this will severely impact on her • Her sunroom is not shown on the…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The planning officer explained the refusal case, while the agent supported approval and argued that the site, parking, access and separation distances were acceptable.

What members debated

Members discussed the outline details, objection, traffic, parking, previous car use, acceptable development principles and possible changes to the proposal description.

“[name withheld] confirmed that the application was an outline application, and that a further application would be required should outline permission be granted. She stated that the Planning Department must assess the proposal based on the information submitted and could not speculate on what might be acceptable in the future.”

“Councillor Larkin queried whether the principle of development had been established given that the proposal was an outline application. [name withheld] confirmed that while there was a principle of development on the site, the quality of the residential development would still need to adhere to guidance and policy, and the proposal as submitted was unacceptable.”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted seven in favour, none against and none abstaining on the proposal to approve the application with amendments.

“Councillor Larkin then proposed to approve the application based on the red line submitted, the removal of the concept plan and the amended proposal description and with conditions delegated to officers. This was seconded by Councillor McAteer.”

“The proposal was put to a vote by way of a show of hands and voting was as follows:”

Minutes

The committee decision

The committee approved the application contrary to the officer recommendation, based on the submitted red line, removal of the concept plan and amended description.

“AGREED: On the proposal of Councillor Larkin, seconded by Councillor McAteer, it was agreed to issue an approval in respect of planning application LA07/2022/0773/O contrary to officer recommendation as contained in the Case Officer Report, based on the red line as submitted, the removal of the concept plan and an amended proposal description.”

“It was also agreed that Planning Officers be delegated authority to impose any relevant conditions.”

Minutes