Public meeting to examine major housing proposals

Public meeting to examine major housing proposals

A PUBLIC meeting is being held in Downpatrick tonight to discuss concerns about the construction of 170 new homes on the Saul Road.

Denvir’s Coaching Inn is hosting the event at 7pm which is being organised by the Saul Road Residents’ Association. It wants people who live at various developments at this part of the town to air their concerns about proposals for several new housing developments adjacent to the existing Ardenlee Gardens and Ardfern developments.

News of the meeting comes two weeks after Downpatrick councillors confirmed they are seeking talks with planners, roads officials and developers to discuss a recommendation in the Down Area Plan that a new road linking the Belfast and Ballyhornan roads must be built by developers as new housing schemes in the Saul Road area progress.

Mr. Declan McGrady, the interim chairman of the Saul Road Residents’ Group, insists that if the area plan decrees that this road should be built, “then to allow the planning applications proposed for the Saul Road to proceed whilst ignoring its own rules and regulations defies belief.”

He said while he’s not totally opposed to new development, it’s vital planners listen to the concerns of residents before they approve new homes at this part of the town.

Mr. McGrady said while a lot of the concern about the proposed housing schemes is rightly focusing on the increased traffic it will generate, he said other equally important issues need to be addressed.

“Can the existing sewerage system at this part of Downpatrick cope with the proposed new developments? What impact will the suggested number of new homes have on existing water pressure for example?” he asked.

“The suggested layout of the proposed housing developments is also a concern as some of the new homes will look into exiting dwellings which residents are understandably not happy about.”

Mr. McGrady said residents want the Planning Service to give their concerns “serious consideration” before they make any final ruling on the proposed housing developments.

“I am not saying a blanket ‘no’ to new homes, but want the issues I and many others have raised addressed,” he continued. “A traffic survey carried out in 2010 revealed around 7,000 vehicles use the Saul Road each day. What is that figure now and what will it be like if all the proposed new homes are built?

“The traffic congestion in the town centre is crazy at the moment. The proposed number of new homes for the Saul Road has the potential to exacerbate the situation.”

Mr. McGrady said residents from a number of developments at the Saul Road met in February to discuss the proposed development plans for this part of the town and were joined by councillors Colin McGrath, Dermot Curran, Gareth Sharvin, John Doris, Dermot Curran and Cadogan Enright.

He said South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has also facilitated meetings between residents, planners, the Roads Service and NI Water.

Mr. McGrady added: “Everyone has their own point of view and tonight is the opportunity for expressing it so all the opinions can be collated and forwarded to planners so they will be fully aware of all the views of the Saul Road residents.”

Councillor Cadogan Enright said the area plan dictates that new housing at this part of the town must be built off a new distributor road which developers are required to build.

He added: “Theoretically, it is illegal for land to be developed without the road being in place. If the new road is not constructed before houses are built, the net impact will force traffic down the already overcrowded Saul Road and adjoining Mearne and Rathkeltair roads. This means even more traffic will be funnelled through the already congested town centre.”