Planning HQ asked to rule on Chelmsford proposal

Planning Service has said the LM Group’s proposal to demolish a detached dwelling and replace with with a pair of semis should be approved, but Larne Borough Council is backing nine objectors by sending the case to planning HQ for reassessment.

Proposing the move, independent councillor Michael Lynch said the board had recently upheld residents’ objections to an apartments scheme at 6-8 Chaine Memorial Road (see below).

“There has been quite a lot of opposition and the residents, the rate payers, feel that they should have another chance,” he said.

Seconding, Ald Jack McKee said residents felt that issues raised with the planners had not been properly addressed.

Ald Danny O’Connor reminded Planning Service that he and Cllr Andy Wilson had requested an area character study for Sandy Bay. When the planning official present, Kieran O’Connell, said he had no knowledge of the exercise, Cllr Wilson explained it had started in August, 2007 and had progressed to draft form by December of that year, but had then been shelved because of “competing demands” on Planning Service resources.