Agenda and minutes

            No apologies were reported.

            Councillor Brennan declared an interest in relation to item 2 - LA04/2024/0626/F, in that she had prior engagement with the developers, and she left the meeting while the item was being considered.

            Councillor Whyte declared an interest in relation to item 2 – LA04/2024/0626/F, on the basis that he had previously worked with the Housing Association.

            The Planning Manager explained that the application for full planning permission had first been considered by the Committee at its meeting in December, 2024 when the Committee approved the application, subject to conditions, and on the basis that all 104 residential units would be provided as social rented housing, to be secured by a Section 76 planning agreement.

            He reminded the Committee that a Pre-Action Protocol letter had been issued in February, 2025, that set out a range of concerns in relation to the decision making process, in that objections from local residents had not been adequately reported to the Committee and the Council’s interpretation of planning policy and procedural matters.  He reported that the application was again approved by the Committee at its meeting in March, 2025 where the Committee affirmed its decision of 10^th December, 2025, to approve the application subject to conditions and on the basis that all 104 residential units be provided as social rented housing and that subsequently, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) issued a holding direction that prevented the Council from determining the application until it was further advised in writing by DfI. 

            He explained that DfI had released the holding direction on 3rd October, 2025, by way of letter, and advised that the application did not warrant the use of its call-in powers and the Council could continue to determine the application.

            The Planning Manager provided the Committee with an overview of the application and highlighted the following key issues for consideration:

·        Principle of housing in the location;

·        Housing density;

·        Affordable housing;

·        Housing mix;

·        Adaptable and accessible accommodation;

·        Design and placemaking;

·        Impact on heritage assets;

·        Residential quality and impact on amenity;

·        Community cohesion and good relations;

·        Security and design;

·        Open space;

·        Space standards;

·        Access and transport;

·        Health impacts;

·        Environmental protection and climate change;

·        Flood risk and drainage;

·        Waste-water infrastructure;

·        Waste management;

·        Natural heritage;

·        Employability and Skills;

·        Section 76 planning agreement;

·        Pre-application Community Consultation; and

·        Matters raised in representations.

            He reported that a further Pre-Action Protocol letter had been received on 9th April, on behalf of a local resident which set out concerns with regard to the Councils’ application of Policy HOU5 (affordable housing) and Policy HOU7 (adaptable and accessible accommodation) and that officers were satisfied that the issues raised had been considered.

            He stated that it was recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions and a Section 76 planning agreement.

            The Chairperson welcomed Ms. F. McGrath, NIHE, to the meeting, speaking as an objecting statutory consultee.

            Ms. McGrath explained that NIHE was committed to working in partnership with the Council, developers, and housing associations to deliver high-quality, sustainable homes that meet the diverse needs of local communities, however, the NIHE could only support the provision of social housing on the Havelock House site on a mixed tenure basis. 

            She stated that whist the NIHE acknowledged and respected the decision of the Department for Infrastructure not to call in the application, the Housing Executive strongly believed that the outcome could set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.