Belfast City Council Town Planning Committee Minutes 20 January 2005
From Nigov
G1777
Thursday, 20th January, 2005
MEETING OF TOWN PLANNING COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor Adamson (Chairman); the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor O'Donnell); and Councillors Empey, Lavery, Long, Maginness, McCarthy, McClenaghan, M. McGimpsey, Molloy, Moore, O’Neill, Patterson, E. Smyth, H. Smyth, Walsh and Wilson.
In attendance:
- Mr. R. Boyd, Members' Support Officer;
- Miss J. Spence, Senior Committee Administrator; and
- Mr. C. McGuigan ) Divisional
- Mr. J. King ) Planning Office.
Apology
An apology for inability to attend was reported from Councillor D. Browne.
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting of 6th January, which had been printed and circulated, were taken as read and signed as correct.
Revenue Estimates 2005/2006
(Mr. T. Salmon, Director of Corporate Services, attended in connection with this item.)
The Committee considered a report, copies of which had previously been circulated, which had been prepared by the Director of Corporate Services in relation to the Estimates of Revenue Expenditure for the year 2005/2006.
The Director of Corporate Services informed the Committee that the estimated total of all Council Expenditure, based on the draft Estimates which had been prepared by the Chief Officers, had been considered by the Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on 7th January. He reminded the Members that, in previous years, it had been necessary to make funds available to enable the Committee to engage Consultants or obtain legal advice in connection with the preparation of submissions to Public Enquiries. The Director reported that the provision for such eventuality had been included in the total estimates for the Committee in the sum of £29,150.
After discussion, it was
Resolved – That the Estimates of Revenue Expenditure as submitted for the Town Planning Committee for the year 2005/2006 be approved.
Correspondence Received
It was reported that correspondence had been received from the Roads Service in connection with the undernoted items:
- Notification of Intention to remove a disabled parking bay at 5 Maryville Court
- Notification of Intention to provide a parking space for Medical Practitioners in Albert Street
Copies of the letters and maps relating to the above-mentioned matters were displayed at the meeting for the information of the Members.
The Committee noted the information which had been received.
Belfast City Airport - Review of Planning Agreement
The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 2nd December, it had considered correspondence from the Planning Service indicating that it had launched a public consultation into the proposed review of the current Planning Agreement with Belfast City Airport. The Committee had agreed that the Members' Support Officer provide, for a forthcoming meeting, a report in respect of the above-mentioned matters taking into account the views of the Health and Environmental Services and Development Departments.
Accordingly, the Members' Support Officer submitted a report relating to the proposed review of the Planning Agreement at Belfast City Airport. A copy of the report, with the exception of the appendices referred to therein, is set out hereunder.
After discussion, the Committee agreed to submit to the Department of the Environment the comments and proposed response detailed in the report.
Department of Regional Development - Roads Service Autumn Progress Report and Improvements to M1/Westlink
The Members' Support Officer advised the Committee that correspondence, copies of which had previously been circulated, had been received from the Roads Service requesting the opportunity to present to the Committee an update on the improvements to the M1/Westlink project and the Autumn 2004 Roads Service Progress Report.
Accordingly, the Committee agreed that a special meeting be held, to which all Members of the Council be invited, on a date to be determined in conjunction with the Chairman (Councillor Adamson).
Planning Applications
22 Magdala Street
The Committee considered an application relating to the change of use from a dwelling to three apartments including a three-storey rear extension at the above mentioned location in respect of which the Divisional Planning Manager had issued an opinion to approve.
After discussion, it was
Moved by Councillor McCarthy, Seconded by Councillor Walsh, and
Resolved – That the Committee agrees to reject the recommendation of the Divisional Planning Manager to approve the above-mentioned application on the grounds that it represents an unacceptable intensification of the use of that location.
On a vote by show of hands, fourteen Members voted for the proposal and one against and it was accordingly declared carried.
(As the decision was not unanimous it was subject to ratification by the Council.)
Adjacent to 67 Katrine Park
The Committee considered a planning application relating to the erection of a two-storey dwelling with associated siteworks at the above-mentioned location. The Members' Support Officer advised Members that, earlier in the day, representatives of the Committee had undertaken a site visit to the above-mentioned location.
After discussion, it was
Moved by Councillor H. Smyth, Seconded by Councillor Molloy,
That the Committee agrees to accept the recommendation of the Divisional Planning Manager to refuse the application.
On a vote by show of hands, thirteen Members voted for the proposal and one against and it was accordingly declared carried.
(As the decision was not unanimous it was subject to ratification by the Council.)
Footpath Adjacent to Tesco, Antrim Road
The Committee considered an application relating the to the erection of an 11.8 metres high lamppost housing one Racal dual polar omni antenna, with associated ground based equipment for telecommunications purposes at the above-mentioned location in respect of which the Divisional Planning Manager had issued an opinion to approve.
After discussion, it was
Moved by Councillor H. Smyth, Seconded by Councillor Wilson, and
Resolved – That the Committee agrees to accept the recommendation of the Divisional Planning Manager to approve the above-mentioned application.
On a vote by show of hands, three Members voted for the proposal and eight against and it was declared lost.
The Committee accordingly agreed to reject the recommendation of the Divisional Planning Manager to grant approval for the application on the grounds that the proposed development might have a detrimental affect on the health and well-being of local residents.
(As the decision was not unanimous it was subject to ratification by the Council.)
Land Adjacent to 13 Suffolk Avenue
The Committee considered an application relating to the erection of a two-storey dwelling at the above-mentioned location in respect of which the Divisional Planning Manager had issued an opinion to approve.
After discussion, it was
Moved by Councillor O'Neill, Seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor O'Donnell), and
Resolved – That the Committee agrees to reject the recommendation of the Divisional Planning Manager to approve the application at land adjacent to 13 Suffolk Avenue on the grounds that the application would be detrimental to the amenity of the area due to the loss of open space.
On a vote by show of hands, eight Members voted for the proposal and four against and it was accordingly declared carried.
(As the decision was not unanimous it was subject to ratification by the Council.)
52 Eia Street
The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 4th November, it had agreed that the planning application in respect of the change of use from a dwelling to three flats at the above-mentioned location be rejected on the grounds that it represented an unacceptable intensification of the use of that location.
The Members' Support Officer reported that a letter, copies of which had previously been circulated, had been received by the Divisional Planning Manager in relation to the above-mentioned application indicating that, despite the planning merits of the case having been reassessed in light of the views expressed by the Council, the Planning Service's opinion to approve the application had remained unchanged.
Noted.
64 Andersonstown Road
The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 2nd December, it had agreed to reject the recommendation of the Divisional Planning Manager to approve the application relating to the construction of four retail units and seven duplex apartments with garages at the above-mentioned location, on the grounds that the proposed development would, if permitted, result in the over-intensification of the use of the site.
The Members' Support Officer reported that a letter, copies of which had previously been circulated, had been received from the Divisional Planning Manager in relation to the above-mentioned application indicating that, despite the planning merits of the case having been reassessed in light of the views expressed by the Council, the Planning Service's opinion to approve the application had remained unchanged.
Noted.
Planning Appeals
Advance Notification
The Committee was informed that correspondence had been received from the Divisional Planning Manager indicating that the undernoted application had, under Article 33 of the Planning (Northern Ireland) Order 1991, become subject to an appeal in default of a planning decision:
Location Proposal
Former factory site, Ballygomartin Road Residential development of sixty dwelling units
The Committee was reminded that, in accordance with normal procedures, a further letter detailing the recommendations of the Divisional Planning Manager in respect of the above-mentioned application would be submitted to the Committee in due course.
THE COMMITTEE DEALT WITH THE FOLLOWING ITEMS IN PURSUANCE OF THE POWERS DELEGATED TO IT BY THE COUNNCIL AT ITS MEETING ON MONDAY, 1st NOVEMBER, 1973
Planning Applications
Reconsidered Items
The Committee resumed consideration of the undernoted planning applications and, after discussion, agreed with the Divisional Planning Manager's opinion thereon:
Site and Applicant Proposal Divisional Planning Manager's Opinion
The Stables, 16 Myrtlefield Park Change of use, conversion and extension of stable building to create a new two-storey dwelling Refusal
73 Agincourt Avenue Change of use to two flats and three-storey rear extension Refusal
Land to the rear of 33 Knockbreda Park Construction of new two-storey house and replacement garage and workshop Refusal
Lands abounded by Wellwood Street, Charles Street South and Gilpin Street Variation of condition 5 of previous approval (to read "the development hereby approved shall not be occupied until provision has been made and permanently retained within the curtilage of the site for the parking of 156 vehicles") Approval
Applications Deferred
The Committee deferred consideration of the undernoted planning applications to enable further information to be obtained:
Location Proposal
Land at Queen's Road, adjacent to Abercorn Basin and junction of Sydenham Road and Old Channel Road Residential with mixed uses, together with associated realignment of the Old Channel Road/Queen's Road and Quay Wall infrastructure works [Deferred by Committee to receive further information on the application]
86 Andersonstown Road Demolition of house and outbuildings and redevelopment of site for ten apartments (Amended Description) [Deferred at the request of the Planning Service]
44 Windsor Park Residential development comprising seventy-five apartments and a basement carpark (Amended Scheme) [Deferred to permit deputations to attend]
44 Windsor Park Demolition of buildings of former RIR Depot and removal of underground tanks and perimeter fence [Deferred to permit deputations to attend]
120 Deramore Avenue Two-storey extension to rear of dwelling [Deferred at the request of the Planning Service]
33 Notting Hill Conversion of derelict dwelling to form eight apartments and three storey rear extension [Deferred at the request of the Planning Service]
81 Castlereagh Street Change of use from shop to restaurant/hot food carryout [Deferred at the request of the Planning Service]
80 Andersonstown Road and 240 Stockman's Lane Demolition of dwelling at 80 Andersonstown Road, removal of extension at 240 Stockman's Lane and construction of eight apartments [Deferred at the request of the Planning Service]
Belmont Avenue West Demolition of church hall and erection of six one-bedroom flats for social housing [Deferred to permit deputations to attend]
10 St. James's Crescent Two-storey rear extension and alterations to dwelling [Deferred to permit deputations to attend]
29-33 Montgomery Street Demolition of building and replacement with a ten-storey office building with basement carparking (Amended Description) [Deferred at the request of Councillor Hanna]
29-33 Montgomery Street Demolition of three-storey brick clad vacant furniture showroom building [Deferred at the request of Councillor Hanna]
44 Metres west of 25 Old Holywood Road Installation of one twelve metre high racal street pole with three jaybeam 2G/3G XP tri-sector antennae, two Vodafone equipment cabinets and a one metre cabinet [Deferred at the request of Councillor Long]
61 Maryville Park Removal of garage and single storey extension to rear of dwelling [Deferred at the request of the Planning Service]
613-615 Upper Newtownards Road Erection of eight apartments and associated carparking [Deferred at the request of Councillor Long]
KFC, Brougham Street One forty-eight sheet advertising hoarding [Deferred at the request of Councillor D. Browne]
1A Rutherglen Street Erection of eight apartments and a detached dwelling [Deferred at the request of Councillor McCoubrey]
Schedule of Applications
The Committee considered the undernoted schedule of planning applications, details of which had previously been circulated to the Members.
The Committee agreed to inform the Department of the Environment that it concurred with the observations of the Divisional Planning Manager in respect of the foregoing planning applications.
New Applications
The Committee noted a list of planning applications, copies of which had previously been circulated, which had been received by the Divisional Planning Manager for the Belfast City Council area in the period from 21st December till 10th January, 2005.
Chairman
