Housing plans turned down at Dromore Street

The proposal came to the attention of Banbridge District Council at its mid-monthly meeting last Monday night when a planning official presented the current schedule of applications.

Planning permission was refused on a number of grounds for the building of 33 residential dwellings and 18 apartments at a vacant site at Dromore Street.

Planners said the application was contrary to its policies on quality residential environments, open space and housing in settlements and that the applicant had failed to demonstrate that the proposal would “create a quality and sustainable residential environment”.

The proposed development was also refused due to “insufficient information” being submitted on contamination and landscape proposals and the fact it was contrary to the Joint Ministerial Statement on the grounds of ‘prematurity’ in relation to the Draft Banbridge/Newry and Mourne Area Plan.

Potential flood risk was also cited, with planners stating the development would, if permitted, “be at risk from flooding” and would be likely to increase risk of flooding elsewhere.

With regard to the latter, Mrs Joan Baird asked if the council could receive an up-to-date report from the relevant authorities on the situation of flooding on the road in question.

Chief executive, Mr Liam Hannaway, said he had been advised by Rivers Agency that the flooding risk was currently under investigation and any further information would be passed on when it became available.

Mr Jim McElroy said flooding was a “big issue” in the Dromore Road area and it was his contention that “far too many houses” were being built in this particular area.