There are 20 co-ownership dwellings proposed, rear garden sizes will range from 61 to 296 square metres and there will be a ‘cycle priority road’ plus children’s play area
A huge housing estate has been approved for West Belfast, despite local concerns about planting in the area being removed for the development.
Elected representatives at the Belfast City Council Planning Committee have approved a residential development in the Finaghy area on lands to the south and west of Woodland Grange, to the north of Blacks Gate and to the east of Moor Park Mews. The applicant is M J McBride Construction Ltd, of Holywood.
The plan involves the building of 58 semi-detached houses, 16 detached houses, and 20 apartments, on a 3.4 hectare site close to the M1 motorway. There are 20 co-ownership dwellings proposed. Rear garden sizes will range from 61 to 296 square metres, and there will be a “cycle priority road” and children’s play area.
READ MORE: Irish street sign surveys to go ahead despite “potential adverse impacts.”
READ MORE: Green Party critical of wildflower meadow plans for Belfast
The site has seen two former successful planning applications for residential development, both of which came to nothing. The proposed development is adjacent to a larger housing approval on the former Ford Visteon site, which is currently being built.
At the Planning Committee meeting held this week at Belfast City Hall, Sinn Féin Councillor Matt Garrett said at the meeting there was some “clearance” of scrubs and self-seeding saplings in the area which had caused concerns with locals. He said: “Regarding the protected site that runs along the boundary, I want to let the agent (know) that whenever (the applicant) is doing the work, there are residents that have raised some concerns that they are cutting down trees on a site that is a wildlife protected zone. It is not.
“(We have got to give) residents that assurance, and engage with the developers going forward on their ability to do that.” An officer replied: “I have received assurances that no mature vegetation or trees will be or have been removed.”
There were no objections from statutory consultees. DfI Roads indicated that it is content although a final written consultation response is awaited by the council. There were no objections from non-statutory consultees, or letters from third parties.
Council planning officers recommended the application for approval. The council planning report states: “Given the extant approvals for residential development on the site the principle of residential development is established.
“The density, layout and design of the development are considered in keeping with the established housing developments in the area with the predominance of two storey semi-detached dwellings reflective of housing abutting the site to the north and west off Blacks Road and east off Finaghy Road North.
“An area of planted open space along the northern boundary, incorporating an existing buffer of mature vegetation, forms an intrinsic communal space running incorporating a Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance, which runs along the watercourse that defines the northern boundary of the site.”
It adds: “A Section 76 planning agreement will be required to secure the provision of a cycle path, affordable housing, delivery and management and of the public open space and employability and skills. Having regard to the development plan and relevant material considerations, the proposed development is considered acceptable.”
The report states: “The application site, which adjacent existing housing developments, is currently vacant and has the potential to encourage anti-social behaviour. Its development offers an opportunity to regenerate the locality and provide ongoing surveillance throughout.”
In terms of connectivity the scheme is planned to link through to the adjacent Blacks Gate development via a pedestrian and cycle path. It will provide linkage between Finaghy Road North to the east and Blacks Road to the west, and will link up with a planned greenway for the area being presently designed at Stormont.
A council official said at the meeting this week: “The cycle priority road will tie in for plans set out for the wider area, as part of a West Belfast greenway, outlined in a DfI document “Belfast Cycling Network Delivery Plan,” so this informs a very important link. I believe it will link to the Boucher area.”
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter
#housing #estate #including #semidetached #homes #approved #West #Belfast
