Permission granted for 14 new Ballyclare houses after amended plans submitted

The proposal is for 10 semi-detached and four detached houses with garages at Templepatrick Road in the vicinity of Hanson’s Hall residential development.

Initially, the council’s planning department’s recommendation had been to refuse permission “related to amenity concerns and more specifically the concerns of overlooking between two of the proposed dwellings”, the committee was told.

Planning officer Joanne McKendry informed the committee amended plans include “an increased separation distance, an increase in height of a boundary fence and address previous concerns of overlooking”. She indicated that a dwelling on the site is to be demolished.

A report to the committee said: “It is considered that the amended scheme to include the enhanced separation distance and boundary treatment would be sufficient to mitigate any significant detrimental impact from overlooking at the proposed dwellings. Given that this amenity concern was the only proposed reason for refusal, it is recommended that the amended scheme shall now be recommended for approval. The design and lay-out respects the surrounding context and will not result in any unacceptable adverse impacts in relation to amenity. Adequate public and private open space has been provided; adequate and appropriate provision has been made for parking. There are no overriding concerns in relation to flooding.”

The recommendation to grant planning permission was proposed by Threemilewater DUP Cllr Sam Flanagan and seconded by party colleague Airport Ald. Matthew Magill.

The application was given the go-ahead following a unanimous vote.