Barbers and hairdressers at Vacant site between No.39 Church Street and No.2 Water Street, Rostrevor

What was proposed

Permission was sought for a single-storey barbers and hairdressers building on a vacant site, with a dwelling-style design and underbuilding.

“Description of Proposal The application seeks for permission for the erection of a single storey building on a vacant site for use as a barbers/hairdressers. The building is designed to mimic a dwelling house and measures 10.9m (length) by 5m (width) with a ridge height of 5.3m from FFL, with an under building. The building will be finishes in blue/black natural roof slates, black aluminium gutters and RWGs, timber windows and doors and natural stone.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The narrow vacant site is within Rostrevor’s settlement limit, conservation area, AONB and an area of archaeological potential, near listed buildings.

“Characteristics of the Site and Area The site is narrow, linear and restrictive in form. The northwestern frontage, to Church Street, is 4 metres in width, increasing in width to approx. 8 metres to the rear and it measures some 14 metres in length. The site is vacant and has been cleared of vegetation. The site abuts the common boundaries of No 2 and 4 Water Street to the southwest.”

“The site is within the statutory development limit (SDL) of Rostrevor, Rostrevor Conservation Area, the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and an Area of Archaeological Potential as designated in the Banbridge, Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015. The immediate area comprises a mix of small-scale community, residential and commercial uses.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

A shop was approved in 1987, while an identical barbers and hairdressers proposal was refused in 2023 with no changes made since.

“P/1987/0495: Site for shop. Granted 07.10.1987.”

“LA07/2020/1864/F: Proposed Barbers Shop / Hairdressers. Refused 8 th September 2023.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the proposal was considered harmful to the conservation area, townscape, AONB and neighbouring residential amenity.

“The Planning Department has fully assessed all information and documents submitted, by the Agent, in support of this application. All factors raised have been fully considered, but are of insufficient weight to overcome or set aside the significant planning concerns raised by the Planning Department in its report. In particular, • The future appearance of the site is purely a matter of proper management and maintenance.”

“The proposal is contrary to Para 6.18 and Para 6.19 of the Strategic Planning Policy Statement for Northern Ireland (SPPS) and Policy BH 12 of the Department's Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning, Archaeology and the Built Heritage in that the site lies within the Rostrevor Conservation Area and the development would not, if permitted, preserve or enhance the character of Rostrevor Conservation Area, as is also required, by statute, under Article 104 (11) of the…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent supported the application, saying it would restore the streetscape, improve the site, respect local buildings and provide employment.

What members debated

Members discussed the site’s narrowness, conservation-area character, residential amenity, parking concerns, previous proposals and whether an acceptable design was possible.

“Following a query from Councillor Rice, [name withheld] advised that the proposal was not in keeping with the character of the area due to a number of issues, those being the narrow width of the site, the overall form design and appearance of the proposal being incongruous with the area and the proposal would occupy the entire width of the site.”

“[name withheld] confirmed that in accordance with PPS6, new proposals must preserve and enhance the conservation area, and while the Planning Department were not opposed to a modern proposal within the site, the current proposed design was not acceptable.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee agreed to approve the application contrary to the officer recommendation.

“AGREED: On the proposal of Councillor Rice, seconded by Councillor D Murphy, it was agreed to issue an approval in respect of planning application LA07/2023/3622/F contrary to officer recommendation as contained in the Case Officer Report.”

Minutes