Planners say 'non-compliant' houses built at The Birches can be retained

The houses in question are located on lands to the rear of 25-28 Mount Hall Grange, and opposite 13 and 14 Mount Hall, on the Clonmakate Road.

The request for the retention of the houses was lodged by David McMaster Architect Ltd, on behalf of HICS Properties Ltd.

The planning officers’ report states: “Officers consider that the proposed development does not comply with the Local Development plan, the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS), or the supplementary planning guidance provided by Creating Places, on the grounds that amongst other matters, it fails to provide a quality and sustainable residential environment.

“Notwithstanding that, officers in recommending that planning permission be granted are giving weight to the following matters.

“The planning history on the site and the fact that the principle of residential development on this site was accepted in 2006 by the then DoE.

“The developer had constructed the dwellings before learning that the 2006 permission had lapsed.

“The similarities between the 2006 planning permission and the current application in respect of the number of dwellings proposed on the application site, the scale and massing of the dwellings and the overall layout of the development.

“The betterment in terms of increased private amenity space provision and open space provision.

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“A total of six letters of objections have been received from six different addresses in relation to this application, along with a petition of support with 38 signatures.

“Planning permission was granted in 2006 for the erection of 74 dwellings and associated works by the Department for Environment (DoE). That permission allowed for 14 dwellings to be constructed on the land to which the current application relates.

“At present, eight of the 14 dwellings are built and occupied while the remaining six dwellings are built but not occupied.”

The report notes that an existing dwelling, located on land in the south east section of the site, will be demolished. This dwelling has been constructed but is not occupied.