Town Planning Committee 13 April 2006
From Nigov
Thursday, 13th April, 2006
Contents |
SPECIAL MEETING OF TOWN PLANNING COMMITTEE
Members present: Councillor Patterson (Chairman); and Councillors Campbell, Long, McCarthy, McClenaghan, Maginness, Moore and O'Neill.
- In attendance:
- Mr R. Boyd (Members’ Support Officer); and
- Mr B. Flynn (Committee Administrator).
Apologies
Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors Lavery and Rodway.
Planning Applications
23 Galwally Avenue
The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 16th March, it had, in order to permit deputations to attend a special meeting, deferred an application for the construction of three, one and a half-storey, townhouses at the rear of premises at 23 Galwally Avenue. The Planning Officer outlined the major aspects of the application and the objections which had been raised in relation thereto.
It was reported that Messrs. Conlon, McAlinden and Donaldson, the objectors to the application, were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting and welcome by the Chairman (Councillor Patterson).
Mr. Conlon informed the Committee that the proposal to erect three townhouses in the former back garden of 23 Galwally Avenue would be inconsistent with the character of the area and would impinge upon the privacy enjoyed by the existing residents. He outlined further objections to the proposal, namely, that the development would, if permitted:
(i) create problems associated with access and car parking to the site since it would be located to the rear of dwellings on Galwally Avenue;
(ii) result in disturbance and loss of amenity to the existing residents; and
(iii) create an unacceptable precedent for further development within the area.
The Members of the deputation then answered several questions which were put to them by the Members in respect of the impact to the area of the proposed development. The Chairman (Councillor Patterson) thanked the members of the deputation for attending and they retired from the meeting.
Mr. O. Quinn, who was in attendance on behalf of the applicant, was admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman (Councillor Patterson). The objections which had been raised to the application were outlined to him and he proceeded to address each of the concerns.
Regarding the question of the visual impact of the proposal to the vicinity, Mr. Quinn pointed out that the development would not be visible from Galwally Avenue. He indicated that concerns regarding dominance and overlooking had been addressed in the plans for the site.
Mr. Quinn then answered several questions which were put to him by the Members and he then retired from the meeting.
During discussion, a number of Members pointed out that the Committee was obliged only to consider the application on its planning merits and, therefore, could only make a recommendation based on such matters.
After discussion, it was
Moved by Councillor McCarthy, Seconded by Councillor Maginness and
Resolved – That the Committee agrees to reject the opinion of the Divisional Planning Manager to approve the application for the erection of three, one and a half-storey, townhouses on land to the rear of 23 Galwally Avenue on the grounds that such a proposal would represent an unacceptable development of the site in terms of its scale, density, layout and massing; would have a detrimental impact on the neighbouring vicinity due to a loss of privacy and that it was out of character with the area.
25 Dorchester Park
The Members’ Support Officer reminded the Committee that, at its meeting on 16th March, it had, in order to received deputations, deferred consideration of an application for the erection of a single-storey extension to the rear, together with a two storey side extension with replacement integral garage with alterations, at 25 Dorchester Park.
It was reported that Mrs. D. Sharratt, who lived adjacent to the site, was in attendance to raise objections and she was admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman (Councillor Patterson).
Mrs. Sharratt raised two principal concerns in respect of the proposed development viz.,
- that the scale and massing of the development would overshadow her property and restrict sunlight to her back garden; and
- the development was out-of-character with the vicinity.
The Chairman (Councillor Patterson) thanked Mrs. Sharratt for attending and she then retired from the meeting.
Mr. T. McGlinchey and Mr. D. Carroll, representing the applicant, were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman (Councillor Patterson).
Mr. McGlinchey tabled for the information of the Members a map of the area which highlighted extensions of a similar scale and mass as that which had been proposed by the applicant. It was pointed out also that issues regarding overshadowing and a loss of light were minimal due to the natural cycle of the sun.
The deputation then answered several questions which were put to them by the Members and they then retired from the meeting.
After discussion, the Committee agreed, with one Member voting against, to adopt the recommendation of the Divisional Planning Manager to approve the application.
(As the decision was not unanimous, it was subject to ratification by the Council.)
Chairman
