Agenda item

(The City Solicitor and the Director of Property and Projects attended

in connection with this item)

            The City Solicitor identified that a planning application directly impacted by this item was to be considered by the Planning Committee at a future meeting and that it would be prudent for Members of that Committee to leave the room for the duration of the discussion in order to avoid any allegations of pre-determination.  Alderman McGimpsey and Councillors Dorrian, Johnston, Magee, McAteer, McDonough-Brown and Mullan declared an interest and left the room for the duration of the item.  Councillor Boyle also declared an interest in the item, in that he was a Member of the Markets Development Association, and also left the room.

            The Director of Property and Projects reminded the Committee that the Council, at its meeting on 1st June, had referred back the decision of 12th April, under the heading “Gasworks Northern Fringe Masterplan”, to the Committee for further consideration.

            The Director of Property and Projects outlined that the proposal in the Gasworks Northern Fringe Masterplan was for mixed-use developments in sites A, D, the NIE-owned site adjacent to D, J and K.  He confirmed that the NIE had stated that it no longer required the site adjacent to Site D, and that it would consider selling it.

            During discussion, a number of Members stated that it should be noted that the report had been published just two days in advance of the meeting, with the revised opinion from the Q.C. having been circulated to Members a matter of hours before the meeting.

            A Member expressed serious concerns with the proposals, stating that mixed-use development could mean that two houses would be built on each site.  The Member also stated that sites A, B, C, D and the NIE-owned site were currently zoned for housing under the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP); the Council did not own the NIE site; the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) had stated that sites J and K were out of the common housing area; there were inaccuracies in paragraphs 6, 7 and 26(b) in the Q.C’s opinion and that the Q.C. agreed that there was evidence of social housing need in the immediate area with a significant number of cases registered as being in housing stress.

            The City Solicitor explained that the information provided in paragraphs 6, 7 and 26(b) of the Q.C’s opinion was not incorrect and, in relation to 26(b), clarified that the overall Gasworks Northern Fringe site was zoned for both residential and commercial development.  He also advised that any outline planning application would be subject to consultation.

            The Director of Property and Projects advised the Committee that mixed-use developments would include housing but that the Council was not a housing provider.

            After discussion, it was

            Moved by Councillor Hargey,

            Seconded by Councillor O’Hara,

   That the Committee agrees to defer the item in order to receive details of what is to be included in each site of the Northern Fringe.

            On a vote by show of hands five Members voted for the proposal and six against and it was declared lost.

            Accordingly, the Committee considered the recommendations within the report, namely, that the Committee:

1.     agrees to note the updated position in relation to the emerging Gasworks Northern Fringe Masterplan;

2.     notes that a pre-planning process (PAD) is being pursued; a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) will be served and a fully compliant pre application consultation process will be undertaken; and

3.     agrees to submit an outline Planning application for a comprehensive mixed use development, following the completion of the PAD process.

            In response to a Member’s request that a recorded vote be taken, the Committee agreed.

            On a recorded vote, six Members voted for the recommendations and five against and it was declared carried.