Derry City and Strabane District Councillors have upheld their decision to approve 740 new homes despite a number of late objections to the proposals.
The new homes will be built on land between Whitehouse Road and Coshquin, commonly referred to as H2, in what will eventually become one of the largest developments in the North West.
The approval allows phase one of the £450 million development by the Bradiwater Group to progress and it's understood the initial phase alone represents an investment of over £100 million to the city.
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The major development includes a vibrant mix of social, affordable and private homes. Meanwhile, the plans will also incorporate the delivery of a high street, café, retail units, gym and a community centre.
Members of the planning committee originally gave the green light to the development earlier this year on June 8, but five late objections were later lodged against the plans by MBA Planning on behalf of a local client on June 24.
The objections were due to concerns on behalf of a nearby farmer who operates on a field close to the site. It was claimed that the plans would infringe upon his right of way between his farm and Whitehouse Road.
In a letter issued to council officers on behalf of the applicant, MBA Planning said: "One right of way (ROW) provides access to [the] farm yard from the Whitehouse Road, while the other provides access to 4 agricultural fields (comprising c. 70 acres) to the west of the farm yard and the application site.
"The ROW to these fields provides for access by vehicle and on foot with animals. [The objector] has no other farm yards or sheds at this location for handling and treating cattle and so the farm yard and the accesses to it are required.
"[Our] client was not served notice of the application and has a number of serious concerns about it."
Speaking on behalf of the applicant, Mr Tom Stokes from Agent TSA Planning, said: “The receipt and timing of this representation was quite surprising bearing in mind this application had been in the system for around 18 months and the previous outline application for many, many years and this was the first time this objector had raised any comment or concern.”
When it came to a decision, members of the committee knocked back the claims and again unanimously voted in favour of the plans.
Sinn Fein councillor Christopher Jackson said: “From my reading of it there is absolutely no change to the application that was presented and approved by the committee before.
"We all recognise the significance of the H2 land and the importance the H2 land has in addressing the housing need within our city.”
SDLP Cllr Sean Mooney added: “I’m really surprised that if you are going to lodge such a substantive objection to an ongoing major application, you might want to engage with the committee.”
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