Plans approved for 39 new dwellings in Banbridge
Planning approval has been granted for the construction of 39 dwellings on a piece of agricultural land to be accessed from the Old Newry Road, Banbridge, between Cline Road and Glencar Meadows.
Senior Planning Officer, Liam McCrum told ABC Planning & Regulatory Services committee members at their November 4 meeting: “This application seeks planning permission for the erection of 39 dwellings, five detached and 34 semi-detached, and associated infrastructure works, public open space and landscaping on zoned housing lands within the settlement development limit of Banbridge.
“The principle of residential use on this site is therefore established through the Area Plan zoning.
“In terms of the proposed layout, the proposed dwellings are positioned in such a way as best to deal with the sloping nature of the site. The proposed dwellings are located back-to-back in the central part of the site, ensuring adequate separation distances to negate any concerns with regard to impact on residential amenity of the proposed residents.
“Similarly, the layout works with the contours of the site to ensure there are no adverse impacts on the amenity of the existing residents in Cline Road and Glencar Meadows that enclose the site to the north and south.
“Officers are satisfied that there will be no adverse impact on existing or proposed residential amenity as a result of approval of the proposed development.
“Given the separation distances, dwelling orientation, site levels and intervening boundary treatments, officers are content that any potential effects in terms of overlooking or loss of light would be limited and not considered to be unduly harmful.
“Overall, officers are satisfied that the proposal demonstrates a sensitive and well-designed response to the site context, respecting the character of the surrounding area.
“Officers are of the opinion that the proposal complies with the Area Plan and all other relevant policies and, on this basis, are recommending approval of the application.
“The site is on the Old Newry Road within the settlement limit of Banbridge. It’s an agricultural field at present but is zoned housing land under the Area Plan.”
Councillor Peter Lavery referred to the presence of a telecommunications mast at the entrance to the proposed new development on the Old Newry Road, and to plans for a link road from the Newry Road to the Ballygowan Road, which have been on the cards for many years, with part of the road meant to be built on the piece of agricultural land where the new houses will be erected.
The Alliance representative for Lurgan DEA commented: “I take it that the telecommunications facility is being taken down. Is it being removed elsewhere, just up the road or anything like that?
“And then secondly, in terms of the link road, I’d have thought that DfI had abandoned the idea of the link road because it’s been in the train for about 30-plus years. Maybe it’s going to take another 30.
“Just in that context, has the entranceway onto the Old Newry Road been designed in such a way that it could handle that link road traffic if it does come to fruition, or would that have to be considered in a separate scheme?”
The Senior Planning Officer replied: “The telecommunications mast stays in situ. There’s no reason for that to be removed. The road network can be accommodated with that remaining in situ.
“In terms of the road proposal scheme, the PSD (Private Streets Determination) drawings will be designed in such a way that, if indeed the road does ever come to fruition, they can push on through the under-zoned lands and link in with the Ballygowan Road. So, it’s been left that way that it can – if it does ever come to bear – be developed.”
As there were no other questions for the Senior Planning Officer, Councillor Lavery indicated that he was content to propose the recommendation to approve the planning application: “This is housing land zoned for residential development, and this is a residential development application which complies with that potential link road, should it ever come to fruition.
“So, everything is in order in this application, as far as I’m aware. I’m content to propose a recommendation to approve this application.”
Cllr Lavery’s proposal was seconded by Councillor Ian Wilson (DUP, Banbridge DEA), while other committee members indicated that they were happy with the planning application.