WELCOME NEWS ON COWAN-HERON HOUSING PLANS
THE wait appears to be over early for Cowan-Heron campaigners, with reports that Planners have blocked a third attempt to build at the historic site.
Dromore Councillor Paul Rankin and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson were among the first this week to welcome news that an application for 10 apartments and four terraced bungalows had been turned down.
It had been suggested previously that protesters might have to wait until at least the Autumn for word from Planners.
"We all welcome this decision," said Councillor Rankin. "It's a common sense decision."
Mr. Donaldson, meanwile, said, "I'm pleased the Planning Service has once again moved to protect the setting of one of the few listed buildings in Dromore at the Cowan-Heron Hospital and has decided to recommend the refusal of yet another planning application by Trinity Housing."
In March last year Planners rejected Trinity's initial proposal for a development beside the former cottage hospital, declaring it would affect the setting of a listed building; was contrary to policy QD1 regarding the environment; would be out of character with existing development; would result in over development of the site and would impact on the living conditions, with regard to privacy, of residents in the nearby Church Green/Beresford Green area.
However, by late May, Trinity had submitted amended plans, and, while it was conceded the new application was for a much reduced development, it too was refused.
News of that refusal came last December, developers withdrawing the application soon thereafter, but in April this year a third application was lodged, this one two apartments smaller than its predecessor.
According to Mr. Donaldson, Planners again refused this latest application on the grounds that it would significantly harm the setting of the listed building and remove one of the few remaining open spaces in that part of Dromore, whilst also having a detrimental impact on neighbouring developments, affecting a large number of people both at the Cowan-Heron and the surrounding area.
"I know that the residents opposed to this development will be relieved that once again sense has prevailed," he said.
Mr. Rankin added that he and his DUP colleagues would be keeping an eye on the situation. "We want to make sure this decision is not overturned in the future," he said.
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Weather for Dromore
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South
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