Farm dwelling at 50m Northeast of 14 McCartans Road, Leitrim, Castlewellan

Site and surroundings

The roadside site is beside an existing farm dwelling and shed, outside a settlement and within the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“The site is located along the minor McCartans Road Leitrim. The site is comprised of a roadside portion of land approximately 0.25 hectares in size. The site is defined on all sides by hedgerows. It sits slightly above road level and clearly visible on approach along McCartans Road from the south.”

“The site is located within the rural area outside any settlement and within the Mourne AONB as designated in the Ards and Down Area Plan 2015.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

consultees raised no objections, and DAERA confirmed that the farm was active and established.

“NIEA Water Management Unit – No Objection • NIW No Objections • DfI Roads No Objections • HED No Objections • DAERA Farm is active & established • DFI Rivers No objections…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support, arguing that the dwelling would form part of a farm cluster and was modest and suitable for one person.

Members’ debate

Members discussed the existing lane, hedges, visibility, design and whether the dwelling would appear as ribbon development.

“Councillor Larkin queried whether the proposal would make use of the existing lane, to which [name withheld] confirmed that it would, and would have no detrimental impact on the hedges.”

“[name withheld] confirmed that it would be visible and would read as ribbon development, the proposal was not a typical structure for residential development, and the Planning Department were reluctant to set a precedent for this type of development for farm dwellings. She noted that these types of structures were more akin to holiday parks, and as a stand alone dwelling in this location would not blend in with the built form of the area.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee voted five in favour, one against and no abstentions on the proposal to overturn the recommendation.

“Councillor D Murphy stated that he was not overly concerned with the design of the proposal, understood the circumstances as outlined and stated he was happy to propose to overturn the recommendation to an approval. This was seconded by Councillor Rice.”

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

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved, contrary to the officer recommendation, following a proposal by Councillor D Murphy and a seconder from Councillor Rice.

“AGREED: On the proposal of Councillor D Murphy, seconded by Councillor Rice, it was agreed to issue an approval in respect of planning application LA07/2024/1036/F contrary to officer recommendation as contained in the Case Officer Report.”

“Cllr Hanna was not present for the vote on this item.”

Minutes