A total of 88 residents objections and a petition were submitted to City Hall
The site off Mill Avenue in North Belfast where the controversial social housing development has been approved
A new social housing development for older people has been approved for the Ligoniel area in North Belfast despite large-scale local opposition and an objector’s petition being submitted at City Hall.
After the DUP failed to defer a decision on the application, elected representatives at Belfast City Council gave planning permission for a proposed residential development comprising 20 social housing dwelling units at lands beside Wolfhill Manor and Mill Avenue, Belfast, BT14. The site had received previous planning permission for residential development, including apartment blocks.
The plan, by Braidwater Land Ltd, Eglinton, includes eight semi-detached houses, one detached house, two three-bed apartments and nine two-bed apartments, with car parking, landscaping and associated works. The proposal is for 100 percent social housing for over 55’s.
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There will be 37 car parking spaces, two of which are for disabled users. The scheme also includes in-curtilage parking, private and communal amenity provision and landscaping.
Planning officers at Belfast Council recommended the plan for approval. There were no statutory partners who objected to the proposal.
A report prepared for the council’s Planning Committee states: “The site benefits from extant planning permission for (a previous) residential development as part of a larger overall scheme. The site is considered a suitable and sustainable location for housing; the proposal would make effective use of previously developed land in an accessible location.
“The provision of 20 social housing units that respond to local housing needs is welcomed. Following negotiations and amendments, the design of the scheme is considered to be of good quality and appropriate to its context, with no negative impact on neighbouring residential amenity.
“The proposed access and parking arrangements are acceptable. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is supportive of the on-site social housing proposals.”
The council received objections from 88 residents, including a petition, and the Belfast Hills Partnership gave a submission, neither supporting nor objecting.
Amongst a host of concerns from locals, many said the proposal represented more development in an already overdeveloped area and complained there was no public consultation carried out. Objectors said the plan had a lack of open space around the apartments, it would lead to an increase in traffic that was already congested with a proposed new primary school, and would lead to anti-social behaviour.
Objectors said there were already enough vacant houses in the area to cover the need, that there would be difficulty for people born in the area to secure school places nearby, and it would have a negative impact on property values.
The planning report said: “A number of representations simply stated that they objected to the proposal but did not outline reasons why.”
A planning officer stated: “A number of the issues raised are not planning considerations however and are therefore outside the remit of planning legislation and guidance. These include alleged impact on property prices, current house vacancies in the area and car and building insurance costs.
“The proposal development does not fall under the category of major development and therefore the applicant is not under statutory duty to consult with the public prior to making any application. Neighbour notification and advertisement was carried out in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance.”
The planning report states there will be a net gain in trees with the development. It states: “Proposed landscaping includes a native wildflower garden and a mix of acer, sorbus, prunus and betula trees to be planted. A total of 21 are proposed throughout the site which will contribute to site amenity value, biodiversity and species resilience within the site should the trees establish in a natural manner.”
At the June meeting of the council’s Planning Committee, the DUP proposed a deferral of the application.
DUP Councillor Jordan Doran said: “I have no issues with the report’s recommendation per se, but (there are questions) whether the design is in keeping with the area. My understanding is it is an area where there are more detached, semi-detached houses and bungalows.
“I don’t really understand how a three storey apartment block would be in keeping with the characteristics of the area.”
A council officer replied: “The external materials would include red brick and render, and we would consider those to be in keeping. In terms of the form, we are seeking to achieve higher density, and there is the fallback of the extant approval on the site, which included an apartment block.”
Councillor Doran proposed a deferral for site visit, and on a vote this proposal fell, with six in support from the DUP and UUP, and 11 against from Sinn Féin, Alliance, and one independent. The recommendation for approval was then passed unanimously by the chamber.
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