Council urged to pull back from Killyleagh housing plan

Council urged to pull back from Killyleagh housing plan

28 July 2021

NEWRY, Mourne and Down Council planners have been asked to withdraw outline planning approval for new homes on a quarter acre sloping site owned by the local authority at one of Killyleagh’s biggest housing developments.

The local authority is seeking permission to build four semi-detached homes on a strip of open space land in front of homes at Grove Gardens at the Kerry estate located off the Downpatrick Road.

Ten letters and one petition objecting to the proposal have been submitted to planners with the scheme part of the local authority’s plan to sell off surplus land and buildings it owns across the district to generate cash.

While the council does not build homes, residents opposed to its plan believe that the local authority is seeking planning approval which will significantly increase the value of the land which it can then sell to the highest bidder.

The planners’ recommendation to grant outline permission for the land at Grove Gardens is contained in a so-called addendum list which has been published ahead of today’s meeting of the local authority’s Planning Committee which takes place in Newry.

However, Rowallane councillor Billy Walker believes that the application should be debated by the planning committee, given the number of objections.

In papers submitted ahead of today’s scheduled meeting, it is confirmed that none of the statutory agencies consulted about the Grove Gardens proposal have objections.

The local authority says there is a need for additional social housing in Killyleagh and a lack of available land to build new homes and that redeveloping the small portion of land at Grove Gardens would have “minimal impact” on existing open space land.

It also contends that the housing proposal will improve the estate physically and the attractiveness of Grove Gardens, while providing a quality and sustainable residential environment, better parking provision, a new vehicle turning area, additional footpaths and wider roadway”.

The council also argues that the Grove Gardens proposal will generate much-needed employment within the local construction industry during building work and help create a more attractive and sustainable residential environment, safer for residents and promote a sense of place.

Cllr Walker — who objected to the proposal when it was initially discussed at a Newry, Mourne and Down Council meeting — says he agrees with those opposed to the Grove Gardens proposal.

The councillor, who lives nearby in Grove Park which is also part of the sprawling Kerry estate, argues that the location which the local authority is planning to sell is not suitable for social homes.

He also made it clear that he is not objecting because he lives at this part of Killyleagh.

“Several years ago, Strangford MP Jim Shannon and I were able to persuade roads officials to widen the road in front of existing homes at Grove Gardens to ensure emergency vehicles could gain access.

“There is no one more passionate about social housing than me,” he declared. 

“I have already identified a number of potential sites for new homes in Killyleagh and hope these plans can come to fruition. However, the land in front of Grove Gardens is simply not suitable for public housing.”

Cllr Walker said existing homes would overlook the planned four semi-detached properties and believes there is an issue in relation to people’s privacy.

“There is no greater supporter of social housing than me. It is an issue which is always at the top of my agenda, but I cannot agree with the planners’ view that this piece of sloping ground is unsuitable for new housing. It is not in my opinion,” he continued.

“I do not support to this proposal and share the view of those opposed to it. There are more appropriate sites in the Killyleagh area for new housing.”

Cllr Walker added: “The outline approval recommendation must be withdrawn from the planners’ addendum list to allow the matter to be debated in full by the planning committee.”