Residents criticise planning decision

Residents criticise planning decision

THE Planning Appeals Commission has been severely criticised by a residents’ group concerned about the impact two proposed housing schemes will have on Downpatrick.

The Commission has given a developer the green light to build new homes on land at the Saul Road, without constructing part of a new road outlined in the Down Area Plan.

The eastern distributor road linking the Belfast and Ballyhornan roads is one of the key planks in the area plan which outlines the future development of the district.

Planners have decreed the road must be built by developers as new housing at the Saul Road progresses, with residents at this part of the town in full agreement.

However, the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC) ruled in 2010 that the developer behind plans for new homes close to Ardenlee Gardens and Ardfern developments does not have to build part of the new road.

The Saul Road Residents’ Association insists while it is not opposed to new development at this part of the town, it wants the proposed distributor road outlined in the area plan provided as housing development progresses.

Association chairman, Declan McGrady, said the group’s initial focus is on securing around 500 objections from people opposed to the new housing progressing without work taking place on the new distributor road at the same time.

“We fully appreciate no developer is going to come in and build this road in its entirety before a single brick is laid to construct new homes. All we are asking is that the road is developed in sections as new housing developments progress, as is clearly stipulated by the Planning Service in the area plan,” he declared.

“We are disappointed the PAC has not insisted part of the new road is built when construction work starts on land adjacent to Ardenlee Gardens and Ardfern and plan to take our case to the Assembly.”

Mr. McGrady said while the provision of the new distributor road is a concern, people who live close to the proposed new housing schemes also have reservations about their respective layouts.

“The provision of the eastern distributor road is not designed to cater solely for increased traffic at the Saul Road, it is part and parcel of a determined effort by the Planning Service to help ease town centre traffic congestion.:”

Mr. McGrady said the Saul Road Residents’ Association shares the concern of many about the congestion issue and fears it will get worse, stifling new investment and economic development in Downpatrick.

He added: “The provision of new housing at the Saul Road will happen as this is the area deemed for the expansion of Downpatrick in the area plan. It is this same area plan which also determines the new distributor road must be built.

“It’s the overwhelming view of Saul Road residents that you simply can’t have one without the other. They are, as far as we are concerned, inextricably linked.”

Mr. McGrady confirmed that while the residents’ group hopes to achieve 500 objections to the new homes proceeding without the distributor road in place, it is also planning to take its case to Stormont.