Housing plan for old school site on hold

The application for 19 social housing units at the site on the Hillhall Road had come before the Planning Committee meeting on Monday night with a recommendation by the planners for approval.

However, Councillor Roy Young requested an office meeting be held to discuss the proposal, which has received 85 letters of objection.

Mr Young said he was making the request “in light of the significant objections to the proposal”.

His proposal was seconded by the Mayor, Alderman Paul Porter.

The Senior Planning Officer told the Council he would accept a meeting, however, he advised them that the applicant, Connswater Homes Ltd, could lose funding if the proposal is delayed.

Councillor Bill Gardiner-Watson said that he would like to be included in the meeting, adding that it should be “held as quickly as possible.”

A number of other councillors also requested that they attend the meeting including Councillor Betty Campbell, Councillor Andrew Ewing, Councillor William Ward and Alderman Ivan Davis, who said councillors should have up to date information before the meeting takes place about what money is available, as the department could lose money.

It was requested that Roads Service should also attend the meeting.

Mr Porter added: “The application is in from June last year, so I would hate to think that the application is now being rushed and the residents’ objections are being squashed.”