A semi-detached social housing estate has been approved just off the Springfield Road in West Belfast.
At the Belfast City Council Planning Committee, elected representatives unanimously agreed to the plan, which proposes a social housing development comprising 12 three-person, two-bedroom, semi-detached dwelling houses with in-curtilage parking and associated site works.
The location is at lands south of 56 Highcairn Drive Belfast BT13, at a site on a junction between Highcairn Drive and Dunboyne Park Belfast. The applicant is Ross Mullan Consulting Ltd, of Lyndhurst Parade Belfast.
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Located off the Springfield Road, the site is bordered on the eastern, western and northern boundaries by residential areas, and to the south by an orange hall. It has a steep sloping topography falling five metres from the northwest to southeast.
The council planning report states: “Having regard to the development plan and other material considerations, the proposal is considered acceptable. Having considered all the matters as set out in the report below, there is a clear and pressing unmet social need in the local area, therefore, it is considered, on balance, that the proposed scheme can be considered an exception.”
The council received one representation in objection, this was in relation to "a loss of privacy and loss of existing green areas.”
The report states: “The separation distance is considered acceptable and in keeping with the guidance. There is also a similar separation distance between the existing properties located at Highcairn Drive and Highfield Drive. The separation distance will ensure that dominance and overshadowing will not occur to an acceptable degree. There will be no opportunity for overlooking neighbouring properties.”
It adds: “The applicant states that there are further areas of open space as shown above, located immediately adjacent to the site which are better overlooked, and more usable than the application site. They have also stated that the construction of the site will enhance the character of the area by introducing additional life and activity in an established residential area.”
DUP Alderman Dean McCullough told the committee: “I thank the officers on the diligent work on this and the in-depth report. This is an area in desperate need of new social housing, so this is to be welcomed.”
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