Social Housing in Holywood

The planning application was for the demolition of the existing buildings at 34-36 Bangor Road in Holywood and construction of one building comprising 6 residential apartments for social housing. 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 (DfC).

Issues Encountered

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

Our Involvement

Given the issues encountered and significant objection, we 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 the Ards and North Down Borough Council Planning Committee which was specifically set up to deal with the application following interventions made by ourselves on behalf of the client.