Castlegate Residential Development at Sand Road, Ballymena

The proposal brought forward by KMBC Ltd. was the second phase of the high-quality ‘Castlegate’ development consisting of family homes in the Galgorm area of Ballymena.

The proposal comprised 66 residential properties, including a mix of detached, semi-detached and bungalow dwellings. The development also includes a generous open space allowance, associated landscaping, access roads and ancillary works.

ISSUES ENCOUNTERED

• Renewal of the existing outline planning permission
• Screening of the site and perceived overlooking
• Concerns from Statutory consultees including the Historical Environment Division regarding impact to nearby listed building
• Issues raised by planning enforcement
• Traffic and parking impact

OUR INVOLVEMENT

Gravis Planning provided planning and strategic communications support to help secure planning approval for the high-quality residential development at Sand Road, Ballymena at the Mid & East Antrim Borough planning committee in October 2020.

This included managing the planning application from pre-application stage to the planning committee decision stage. We also organised and hosted a Pre-Application Community Consultation Event, which allowed the public to provide feedback to the proposal.

Gravis Planning provided planning advice prior to submission, progressed the application through the planning system and dealt with all responses from statutory consultees such as HED, NIEA, Environmental Health, DFI Roads and NI Water. We provided advice on issues such as site layout, landscape management, screening of the site and traffic.

Individual meetings with local politicians were carried out culminating in support for the project being obtained by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Planning Committee.