Agenda item

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report or Summary of main Issues

            To present for consideration and comment the Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) Local Development Plan Preferred Options Paper (POP).  A copy of the POP Summary Paper is available on the Council’s website.

            The submissions closing date is 25th May 2017. The proposed draft response from Belfast City Council is available on the Council’s website.

2.0       Recommendations

            It is recommended that the Committee notes the public consultation of LCCC’s POP. It is further recommended that the Committee considers the draft written response to the POP and, if appropriate, approve it for submission to LCCC.

3.0       Main report

            Key Issues

3.1       Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) recently published its POP and has written to the City Council seeking our views. The LCCC POP sets out a vision and a number of strategic objectives for the new LDP. It also sets out the preferred options for addressing key issues identified. The main issues of particular interest and relevance to Belfast are summarised below.

3.2       The Spatial Growth Strategy seeks to focus growth in accordance with a settlement hierarchy, with Lisburn City, Castlereagh and Dundonald urban areas at the top, followed by the towns of Hillsborough, Moira and Carryduff.  Proposed housing growth allocations are based on this hierarchy and are primarily focussed on Lisburn City. LCCC’s preferred option is for 13,300 new dwellings (738 per annum) up to 2030, with an additional 10% allowance for market flexibility. This hierarchical approach to growth is considered to be appropriate. However, the POP acknowledges that there is insufficient land zoned or committed for housing, both within the existing urban footprint and within existing designated settlement limits to meet all the planned housing growth during the period of the new LDP. To help address this issue, LCCC proposes to direct significant new housing to a portion of the West Lisburn/Blaris Major Employment Location site. Whilst this may be an acceptable approach, it is considered important that cross-boundary discussion takes place with LCCC and other councils in the Greater Belfast sub-regional area to ensure that individual housing allocations are agreed and implemented consistently to support the Regional Development Strategy.         

3.3       In terms of retailing, LCCC’s preferred option for Sprucefield is to reinforce it as a regional shopping centre. This takes account of the decision to remove the ‘bulky goods only’ restriction for additional retail development at the existing centre. As Elected Members will be aware, this is the subject of a separate legal challenge by Belfast City Council and it is not intended to make any detailed comment on this matter in response to the LCCC POP at this time. Nevertheless, it is considered appropriate to comment that any future development at Sprucefield is in accordance with national policy that is based on the ‘town centre first approach’, as expressed in the Regional Development Strategy and the Strategic Planning Policy Statement. 

3.4       The POP proposes to extend the area designated as the Forestside District Centre. The proposed extension will include the retail park, DIY unit and adjoining lands, all on the opposite side of the main A24 road from the existing shopping mall. These lands are currently not included in the District Centre boundary. This represents a significant expansion of the District Centre, which is immediately adjoining the local government district boundary with Belfast City and has a catchment area that extends well into Belfast City. The additional area more than doubles the existing designated centre. This could facilitate the full range of retailing activities at this location. The potential impact on existing retail centres in Belfast City, including Connswater and the City Centre, is of concern. It is considered that the proposed expansion of the Forestside District Centre is inconsistent with the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) aim to support and sustain ‘town centres’ (including city centres) with a town centre first approach for retail and other town centre uses. The significant expansion of retailing activities, particularly for comparison (high street type) retailing, has the potential to adversely impact on the vitality and viability of retailing the Belfast City Council Area, including the city centre and Connswater. 

3.5       There are a number of other cross-boundary issues that need co-operation between both councils. These include sustainable travel, waste management and environmental protection issues. In the latter regard, it is acknowledged that the Lagan Valley Regional Park and the Belfast Hills are cross-boundary assets that form part of the wider green and blue network. In addition, provision for cemeteries and crematoria is important and the City Council is continuing to explore options for addressing the medium and long term requirements. Continued joint discussion is required throughout all stages of the LDP process to ensure a joined-up and mutually beneficial approach.

3.6       The attached draft response highlights areas of support or concern and issues of mutual interest. The LCCC POP generally represents a positive and proactive approach to future growth and sustainable development. With the exception of the above concerns in relation to retailing at Forestside, there does not appear to be any conflict with our own growth and development aspirations. It forms a basis for continued partnership working with LCCC and we should welcome the POP and the opportunity to comment on it.

3.7       Financial & Resource Implications

            There are no resource implications associated with this report

3.8       Equality or Good Relations Implications

            There are no relevant equality or good relations implications attached to this report.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.