Bangor Road Social Housing, Holywood

The proposal also included 10 covered car parking spaces with associated site works including replacement boundary walls, railings and fences.

The development had been identified as a strategically important project for Habinteg as it was required to address current social housing need in the locality, thereby enabling them to meet their targets and obligations with the Department for Communities.

Issues Encountered

• Design and layout
• Third party representations
• Density, height, scale, and massing
• Materials and finishes in keeping with those found in the immediate area
• Adequate car parking

Given the issues encountered and significant objection, Gravis Planning were instructed to provide planning support and subsequently advised on a number of amendments to the proposal including a reduction in density.

Furthermore, local elected representatives were briefed on the benefits of the scheme and the amendments taken forward to deal with objection points.

Approval was granted at a special meeting of Ards and North Down Borough Council's Planning Committee, which was specifically set up to deal with the application following interventions made by Gravis on behalf of the client.