Site is close to Fortwilliam Golf Club
A controversial plan for social housing apartments in North Belfast is to go ahead, despite local opposition.
Elected representatives at the Belfast City Council Planning Committee this week approved an application for the demolition of existing buildings at 733 and 735 Antrim Road for two new social housing buildings comprising 34 units, with associated in-curtilage parking and landscaping. The applicant is Mr J Ogle, of S4S Developments Ltd, Dungannon.
The proposal is for 100 percent social housing and intended to provide over 55s accommodation. The proposed development would comprise two detached blocks, ranging in height from three to four storeys, with 34 car parking spaces, four for disabled user parking.
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The scheme proposes a range of apartments, consisting of 30 three-person two-bed units and four two-person one-bed units. The one bedroom units are all wheelchair accessible. The site, close to Fortwilliam golf club, previously received planning permission for apartments on an application which has now lapsed.
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is supportive of the social housing proposals, while NI Water objected to the proposal on grounds of insufficient network capacity. Council planning officers recommended the application for approval.
The council planning report states: “The site is considered a suitable and sustainable location for housing; the proposal would make effective use of previously developed land for residential use in an accessible location. The provision of 34 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 council received 22 letters of objection from local residents on the application. Amongst their concerns, objectors said the existing buildings should not be demolished, and that the apartment blocks plan risked overdevelopment, overlooking, loss of light, and the density, height, scale and massing of the plan was “out of keeping with the established area.” They also raised concerns about open space provision.
Objectors said the development would have a negative environmental impact, particularly on trees, that it would would increase traffic, and some said there was insufficient local consultation and community opinion was not taken into account.
The officer report states: “ Public consultation was undertaken in accordance with the statutory requirements. 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.” It states: “The proposal is also consistent with densities in the areas with apartments located to the immediate south.”
The report adds: “There is acute housing need in this area of North Belfast. The site is within an overwhelmingly owner-occupied and private housing area. There is only one social housing unit within 500 metres of the site. The closest housing estate is almost 1km from the site and the nearest housing estate within this housing need area is almost 2 km distance.
“NIHE advises that while there is not currently as large a demand from elderly applicants compared to other household groups, it is envisaged this scheme will attract elderly residents in existing social houses no longer suitable for their needs, such as family units. This will in turn free up family housing for families in housing stress.”
A representative for local objectors told the Planning Committee “the character of the area is key to this argument.” He said: “This segment of the Antrim Road is primarily a low density area, it averages 19 hectare per hectare. This proposed development is 89.35 dwellings per hectare.”
He said: “The proposal has not taken into account considerations previously raised, that a development should be designed in a sensitive manner, and it is clearly overdevelopment.”
Sinn Féin Councillor JJ Magee proposed that planning permission for the application be approved, and the chamber unanimously agreed.
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