Multi-million pound plans for a major residential development in Moira have been given the green light at Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) despite objections over the lack of a children’s play park.
The second phase of the 65 property residential development on the Lurgan Road will see the building of 22 apartments, 18 semi-detached dwellings and 25 detached dwellings as well as garages and ancillary works.
The application, lodged by ‘Topco Moira Ltd’ in August 2020, will bring about a £16m investment with over 100 construction jobs to the local area with work due to commence in the coming months.
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Director of Topco, Robert Mulligan said his company’s plans would bring about a rejuvenation of the Moira area and the LCCC purse.
“Over £25million in sales receipts generated between Phase 1 and Phase 2 raising significant rates and stamp duty and tax receipts for local government,” said the businessman.
However, there was some controversy in the LCCC chambers when opposing councillors called for a deferment of the plans to look at the feasibility of a children’s play park as up to 80 families will be moving into the new housing zone.
There were also 11 public objections to the plans, mostly from local residents.
Councillor Martin Gregg opposed the development due a lack of a children’s play park provision.
He aslo said he had an issue with the ridge height of the apartments given that the land falls away. He said that he did not see how the design was in keeping with the local area.
It was noted that due to the total amount of residential units in the locality - 88 - that it had fallen under the threshold of over 100 required for a play park.
Alderman Owen Gawith had proposed a deferment in order to negotiate with the developer over a play park provision, which was out-voted by acting chair following a tied vote.
“I stand by my proposal that these plans should have had a deferment in order for the process to be furthered on the need for a play park in the new development area,” said Ald Gawith.
“There is a need to look again at the threshold of units for play parks as the last time this was determined was some time ago.
“Also, for any arguments by developers or councils to deny a play park on the concerns of anti-social, just simply does not hold any water.
“It is in fact that there is not enough facilities for young people in the area and this should be looked at alongside plans for children’s play parks and we need to look at this for future developments,” added the Downshire West representative.
However, a vote to defer was tied with acting chairman, Alderman James Tinsley pushing forward with his deciding vote to approve the plans without any need for play park provision.
The Killultagh representative speaking to the media stated that any delay would have been a waste of time and money.
“We are talking about a development in the village for Moira which is not a big area by any means,” said Ald Tinsley.
“The fact is that this particular proposal did not trigger the threshold for the need of a play park, though there has been the required amount of green space provided.
“On the other side of Moira there is an excellent play park facility and car park that is only about a five to 10 minute walk away.
“If the deferment had been allowed to go ahead, it simply would have come back in another months with the decision that the proposal did not meet the threshold for a play park and we would have wasted time and money.
“Instead, now we can welcome the development as a great investment for the area and a boost to employment,” added the alderman.
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