Planning committee set to approve housing plan

Planning committee set to approve housing plan

20 October 2021

A PROPOSAL by Newry, Mourne and Down Council to secure outline planning approval for four new homes in Killyleagh is designed to make the organisation a “quick buck” a local politician has claimed. Today, the local authority’s Planning Committee is due to endorse a planners’ recommendation to give permission for four new homes to be built on a quarter acre sloping site it owns at one of Killyleagh’s biggest housing developments.

Council officials have earmarked a strip of open space land in front of homes at Grove Gardens at the Kerry estate located off the Downpatrick Road for the new homes.

Ten letters and one petition objecting to the proposal were 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 has angered residents and Rowallane councillor Billy Walker.

It was confirmed earlier this year that none of the statutory agencies consulted about the proposal had objections, with the local authority pointing to the need for additional social housing in Killyleagh and a lack of available land to build new homes .

In addition, the council contends that redeveloping the small portion of land at Grove Gardens would have “minimal impact” on existing open space land and that the housing proposal will improve the estate physically and the attractiveness of Grove Gardens, “providing a quality and sustainable residential environment, better parking provision, a new vehicle turning area, additional footpaths and wider roadway”.

However, it’s a view not shared by residents or Cllr Walker who lives in nearby Grove Park.

He said while arguments not to develop the land have failed, he is encouraging residents to object to any subsequent planning applications for full permission which will inevitably be forthcoming.

“The case has been made by residents and myself that this piece of ground is simply not suitable for four homes, but planners disagree with us which is disappointing,” he continued. “While opposed to this proposal, I remain a passionate supporter of social housing and have worked alongside others to provide much-needed new accommodation and identify potential development sites.

“What we are talking about here is a proposal to make Newry, Mourne and Down Council a quick buck. This particular area of land is not suitable for social housing. I have no doubt that if an application to build private homes at this part of Killyleagh it would be refused.”

The Rowallane politician said while social housing provision is “absolutely critical” given recent news that there are 1,800 people across the district looking for homes, the Grove Gardens site is inappropriate.

He said that several years ago, along with Strangford MP Jim Shannon, the pair 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.

Cllr Walker said while the local authority’s outline planning application will be rubber-stamped later today, there is still some way to go before builders can move on site. He added: “Existing homes at Grove Gardens would overlook the planned four semi-detached properties and I believe there is an issue in relation to people’s privacy. Clearly, the planners don’t agree with me.

“I remain perplexed that planners view a piece of sloping ground as suitable for new housing. It is not in my opinion and, along with residents, I do not support to this proposal. There are more appropriate sites in my opinion.”