Dwelling extension at 146 Mill Road, Mullartown, Annalong

What was proposed

The application proposed extensions and alterations to a bungalow, including a one-and-a-half-storey side extension and roofspace conversion.

“Extension & Alterations to Dwelling including 1 1/2 Storey Side Extension and Roofspace Conversion…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site contains a detached bungalow beside Mill Road, with mature hedges, varied nearby housing, parking and amenity space.

“The application site is located at number 146 Mill Road Mullartown, a rural area situated north of the Annalong settlement area, as defined within the Banbridge, Newry and Mourne Area Plan 2015.”

“The site contains a detached bungalow and is situated on the western side of Mill Road. The site is surrounded by mature hedgerow on the eastern and northern site boundaries with some views on to the dwelling when approaching from the south and north of Mill Road and when driving along Head Road. Dwellings along this road are diverse in design, form and material, although are well proportioned.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

Earlier permissions covered alterations and an extension to the dwelling, but were decided under different policy and were not considered binding.

“Application Number: P/1999/0158 Decision: Permission Granted Decision Date: April 1999 Proposal: Extension and alterations to dwelling…”

“Note: The design and access statement submitted in support of this application refers to the extant planning application P/99/0158. The previously approved application was determined by the Department of Environment. The Pl Dept does not place considerable weight on these previous decisions which were determined under different policy nor is the Council bound by such decisions.”

Officer report

Consultation and representations

No formal consultations were considered necessary, and no representations were submitted after neighbours were notified and the proposal was advertised.

“May 2025 Date of Press Advertisement: March 2025 ES Requested: No Consultations: It was not necessary to issue any consultations on this application due to its minor domestic nature and having account the site constraint…”

“Representations: Two neighbours were notified of the proposal on the 14th of May 2025. The proposal was also advertised in the local press on the 12th of March 2025.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An agent spoke in support, arguing that policy, screening, matching materials and nearby examples supported the proposal.

What members debated

Members discussed similar homes, existing vegetation, the extension’s visibility, acceptable height and whether screening could be protected by condition.

“[name withheld] stated that there was a mix of houses within the area, but that the similar dwellings were well proportioned and generally aligned with policy. He stated that this proposal was contrary to the Justification and Amplification (J&A) text of the policy. He acknowledged that there was existing vegetation on site that would screen some of the proposal, however as this was a roadside plot and the proposal was larger than the existing dwelling, it would be highly visible.”

“Councillor Hanna queried if the applicant would be happy to accept a condition that the existing screening could not be amended or removed, to which [name withheld] confirmed that was acceptable.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application contrary to the officer recommendation and delegated authority to officers to impose relevant conditions, including protection for existing vegetation.

“AGREED: On the proposal of Councillor Rice, seconded by Councillor Hanna, it was agreed to issue an approval in respect of planning application LA07/2025/0178/F contrary to officer recommendation as contained in the Case Officer Report.”

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

Minutes