Cookstown housing development approved

The proposed development of 39 units consisting of two storey detached and semi-detached dwellings with open space and temporary waste water treatment works was submitted by the agent APS Architecture LLP on behalf of J and A Developments Ltd.

The proposed development will be located just north of Number 3 Coolreaghs Road, Cookstown.

Members were advised that the proposal is located on zoned phase 1 housing land in Cookstown and meets all key site requirements as set out in the Cookstown Area Plan.

It was also made clear 14 letters of objection were submitted but having fully considered these, the planning officer is of the opinion that they do not merit the refusal of this application.

Councillor Wilson requested that the application be deferred as he felt Rivers Agency had not considered the risk of flooding. However, Council’s Planning Manager, Dr Chris Bloomer advised that planning officers were content that Rivers Agency had addressed the issue.

“We had consulted further with them and are satisfied they had considered it,” said Dr Bloomer. “There may be a difference  of opinion but it is not that it has not been considered.

Councillor Wilson explained that he asked for a deferral as he lives further up the road and said “at the present moment in time there is inadequate sewer and storm systems in the area and it has caused quite a bit of flooding over the years.

“The issue I have raised with water service is about these floods. My understanding is water service do not have any record of it, yet there have been photographs of raw sewage into people’s houses.”

One of the objectors then addressed the committee and explained that Number 3 Coolreaghs Road is her parent’s home and said that one of the proposed properties will be just six meters away from their house, meaning her parents will be looking out at a brick wall from their kitchen.

Dr Bloomer suggested that in a kitchen there is a likelihood that the windows will be higher as a result of worktops and sinks and therefore the privacy issue is somewhat reduced.

Those speaking for the application said that the concerns expressed had been addressed by the Department for Infrastructure.

Councillor Robert Colvin raised concern that at present there is nothing to stop someone building an extension later on the house closest to number 3 Coolreaghs Road and asked for clarification over the long term operation of the temporary waste water treatment works.

Dr Boomer said he is never comfortable with private package plants but that Council’s long time position is to accept them as a measure until new sewage works comes online, provided the right management is in place.

He also stated that a restriction on the further development of the house closest to Number 3 Coolreaghs Road be introduced.

Dr Boomer then suggested that a management plan be put in place for the package plant before a property is built on the site.

“I think it is fairly fundamental to the principles of sustainability and that gives the developer control,” said Dr Boomer. “We have no assurance that water service is going to adopt it at present. That is why we want the management agreement of that package plant in place.”

Councillor Gavin Bell proposed that the application be accepted with the conditions agreed put in place. This proposal was seconded by Council Chair, Councillor Cathal Mallaghan and the committee voted in favour of this proposal.

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