Agenda and minutes

            Apologies were reported on behalf of the Deputy Lord Mayor (Councillor Hendron), Aldermen M. Campbell, McCoubrey and R. Patterson, together with Councillors Hanna, Hutchinson and McCarthy.

            In the absence of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman, it was

      Resolved – That Alderman Rodgers take the Chair.

(Alderman Rodgers in the Chair.)

The minutes of the meeting of 4th September were taken as read and signed as correct. It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st October, subject to the omission of those matters which had been delegated to the Committee by the Council.

            In respect of the Schedule of Planning Applications, Councillors Garrett and Haire declared an interest regarding item ten, which had been submitted by the Belfast Harbour Commissioners. It was noted that both Members had been appointed by the Council to that body.

            No requests had been received.

            The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 4th September, it had agreed to receive a deputation of local residents in respect of the proposals for the redevelopment of the Science Library at Chlorine Gardens and 14a Lennoxvale by The Queen’s University of Belfast.  Accordingly, the Acting Chairman welcomed Ms. E. Craig, together with Ms. E. Sung and Ms. M. Cosgrove, who were in attendance to outline their objections to the proposed development.

            The Committee was advised that a number of local residents felt that the application for the demolition of the library at Chlorine Gardens and 14a Lennoxvale would be out of character due to the proposed scale and mass of the replacement building. In addition, it was suggested that the redevelopment would result in the loss of existing green space within the Malone Conservation Area. The residents suggested also that there would not be sufficient car parking provided at the new building and this would cause adverse problems at peak times.

            The Acting Chairman thanked the residents for their attendance and indicated that the application would be reconsidered later in the meeting under the reconsidered items list.

            The Committee noted the receipt of the undernoted items of correspondence:

Department for Social Development

·        Notification of the intention to make a vesting order on land to the front of 28 Duncairn Gardens.

Transport NI / Roads Service

·        Notification of the construction of a road hump at the junction of Nelson Street and Whitla Street;

·        The provision of a blue badge parking bay at 78 Belmont Road;

·        The removal of blue badge parking bays at Rugby Road and College Park Avenue;

·        The abandonment of a public right of way at Casement Park, Andersonstown; and

·        Notification of the introduction of waiting restrictions at the following locations:

1.     Orby Link – no waiting at any time;

2.     Gardiner Place – no waiting Monday to Saturday 0800 - 1800;

3.     North Queen Street - no waiting Monday to Saturday 0800 - 1800;

4.     Stewart Street - no waiting Monday to Saturday 0800 - 1800;

5.     Alexandra Park Avenue – revocation of no waiting restriction;

6.     Short Strand - revocation of at any time restriction; and

7.     Short Strand – limited waiting Monday to Saturday 0800 - 1800.

·        Parliamentary Boundary Posts at the Ligoniel, Lisburn and Glen Roads and Stockman’s Lane;

·        The Orange Hall at 176 Albertbridge Road;

·        Lime Kilns at 1049 Crumlin Road;

·        Belmont Presbyterian Church and McQuiston Presbyterian Church and Hall;

·        Ligoniel Library;

·        Workers’ Cottages within the Stormont Estate;

·        The Rock Bar, Falls Road; and

·        Telecom House, May Street

            The Committee noted the findings of a feasibility study which had been commissioned by the Council on the former Visteon site off Finaghy Road North.  It was noted further that the report had been considered by the Development Committee at its meeting on 16th September. 

            The Committee noted the outcome of a number of recent appeal cases, together with a list of dates which had been set for the hearing of further appeals.

            The Committee noted a list of decisions which had been issued by the Planning Service between 29th August and 30th September under the streamlined planning process.

            The Committee noted a list of planning applications which had been received by the Planning Service from the period 2nd September till 29th September.

            The Committee noted a list of deferred items which were still under consideration by the Planning Service.

            The Committee noted that the application Z/2014/0596/F, for the development of 2 semi-detached dwellings at 342 Stranmillis Road, had been withdrawn from the reconsidered list at the request of the Planning Service to enable amended plans to be considered.

            The Committee considered further the undernoted planning applications and adopted the recommendations of the Divisional Planning Manager thereon:

The Committee considered the schedule of planning applications and agreed to adopt the recommendations contained therein with the exception of those referred to below: