Agenda and minutes

The Principal Planning Officer read the Notice and Summons for the Meeting.

The Principal Planning Officer completed the roll call for Member attendance and apologies were received from Head of Planning and Alderman Hamilton.

The Chair declared an interest with planning application J/2010/0481/F – Craignagapple Windfarm.

P174/17a      Late Information Received

The Chair referred to late information received in relation to planning applications  J/2010/0481/F and LA11/2017/0438/O and advised Members that they would be given the opportunity to view and consider the information later in the meeting.

P174/17b      The Chair expressed his delight with the recent announcement by Department for Infrastructure that construction work of the first phase of the A5 would proceed early in the New Year.  He acknowledged the work of Council in discussions with key stakeholders in support of the major strategic project for the District.

P174/17c       Special Planning Meeting

The Chair advised that a Special Planning Meeting to discuss the H2 zoned land application was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 20 December 2017 at 2.00pm in the Council Chamber, Strabane Office.

The Open Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 8 November2017 (P153/17-P167/17) were agreed and signed by the Chair of Committee.

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

The Planning Officers presented the following planning applications for decision:

Reconsidered Applications

The Chair declared an interest with the following application and left the meeting.  The Vice-Chair of Committee chaired the meeting at this      juncture.

J/2010/0481/F – Planning permission to erect 6 wind turbines with an overall height from ground to blade tip of 111m, 33kv substation and compound, construction of internal site tracks and associated works and ancillary works, access points on the Glenmornan Road and the relocation of the temporary turbine supply compound – FEI AMENDED PROPOSAL – includes the relocation of internal access tracks, reduction in turbine numbers from 9 to 6 and the relocation of 2 turbines.

Townland of Craignagapple, approx. 650m west of Legalougha Bridge and approx. 200m east of Owenmore Bridge 8.5km east of Strabane, BT82 0SR.

The Planning Officer presented the above planning application details of which had been previously circulated to Members.

Councillor McGuire moved, seconded by Councillor Bresland to support the recommendation to approve planning permission. The outcome of the vote was unanimous support of the proposal.

The applicant was asked if they wished to use their previously requested speaking rights.  However they declined.

The Committee

Resolved       that planning application J/2010/0481/F be approved planning permission subject to the conditions as outlined within the report.

The Chair returned to the meeting.

LA11/2016/0854/O – Shared access and site for 2 dwellings and garages inside garden of existing dwelling (amended proposal) on lands at 154 Culmore Road, Londonderry, BT48 8JH

The Chair advised that late information was received from the agent in relation to the above application and altered the information previously provided to Committee. 

The Principal Planning Officer advised that earlier that day the agent had tabled an amended scheme to reduce the dwellings from 2 to 1 No.  She further advised that it was at the discretion of the Members if they wished to defer the application or to proceed on the basis of the information that was presented within the meeting pack.  

Discussion ensued after which Alderman McClintock moved, seconded by Councillor Hastings to defer a decision on the recommendation due to the late information received.  

The Committee

Resolved       that planning application LA11/2016/0854/O be deferred and presented at a future meeting.

New Applications

LA11/2016/0140/F – Proposed demolition of existing shed and construction of one 2 storey dwelling house for association with existing shop at 32 Barrack Street, Strabane.

The Planning Officer presented the above application, details of which had been previously circulated to Members.  An overview of the background to the application was provided and based on material consideration and in line with planning policy it was recommended to refuse planning permission for reasons as outlined within the report.

Mr M Mullin (Agent) addressed the Committee on behalf of the applicant. 

Councillor R McHugh joined the meeting at this stage.

Members discussed the reasons for refusal and expressed their concern that there was no evidence to confirm that the use of existing access would be intensified.  The Planning  ...  view the full minutes text for item P178/17

The Principal Planning Officer presented the above report, a copy of which had been previously circulated to Members. She advised that the purpose of the report was to advise Members of a Conference on Planning in Northern Ireland: Progress, Economic Development and Forward Strategy on 7 December 2017.

It was agreed that the Chair of Committee be nominated to attend the conference together with other Members if they so wished.

The Committee         

Recommended       that the Chair of Committee be nominated to attend the Planning in Northern Ireland Conference to be held on 7 December 2017.  It was also agreed that other Members of Committee could attend if they so wished.

The Principal Planning Officer presented the above report, a copy of which had been previously circulated to Members.  She advised that the purpose of the report was to advise Members on the receipt of two Notice of Opinions issued from the Department of Infrastructure’s Strategic Planning Team (DFI) under Section 26(11) of the Planning Act (NI) 2011, received 22 November 2017.

Discussion ensued after which Councillor Hastings moved, seconded by Councillor Gardiner that Members note the information in the report and are content for Planning Officials to write to DFI to advise that Council have no objection to the Notice of Opinions to Approve the developments at Ebrington.

The Committee

Recommended       that Members note the information the report and are content for Planning Officials to write to DFI to advise that Council have no objection to the Notice of Opinions to approve the developments at Ebrington.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration presented the above report, a copy of which had been previously circulated to Members.  She advised that the purpose of the report was to advise Members of the outcome of the review of Council’s Planning Service undertaken during 2017, and to seek approval to adopt a Service Improvement Action Plan (SIAP) as suggested as part of the review.

The Chair welcomed the progress achieved with the transfer of planning to Council in terms of integration and policy and contractual implementation.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration in response to Members  highlighted that as stated within the report additional resources had been secured to include specialist project management assistance and additional staff within the Local Development Plan and Development Management section to secure delivery of the recommendations.

The Committee

Recommended       that Members note the content of the report and endorse the beginning of the process of implementation of the Service Improvement Action Plan.  Officers to organize a workshop with Members to determine those recommendations that are operational and those that may require a policy change and the process for consideration of policy changes.    

The Director of Environment and Regeneration presented the above report, a copy of which had been previously circulated to Members.  She advised that the purpose of the report was to advise Members of the outcome of the review of Council’s Planning Service undertaken during 2017, and to seek approval to adopt a Service Improvement Action Plan (SIAP) as suggested as part of the review.

The Chair welcomed the progress achieved with the transfer of planning to Council in terms of integration and policy and contractual implementation.

The Director of Environment and Regeneration in response to Members  highlighted that as stated within the report additional resources had been secured to include specialist project management assistance and additional staff within the Local Development Plan and Development Management section to secure delivery of the recommendations.

The Committee

Recommended       that Members note the content of the report and endorse the beginning of the process of implementation of the Service Improvement Action Plan.  Officers to organize a workshop with Members to determine those recommendations that are operational and those that may require a policy change and the process for consideration of policy changes.