Castle Street, Ballymena

The proposal was a Full Application and involves the demolition of existing buildings at 39 and 49-51 Castle Street with a redevelopment to include a Change of Use and erection of 18 No. apartments (total 19 No. apartments overall). This scheme was for accommodation for the ‘active elderly’ and designed to reflect these end-users.

Issues Encountered

• Potential impact upon nearby listed building;
• Perceived loss of amenity of neighbouring residents;
• Perceived lack of car parking provision.

Our Involvement

We were agents for the planning application and worked with council officials to resolve the above-mentioned issues through the planning process. Although the proposal was recommended for approval by officers once all of the above issues were resolved, the local authority decided to refuse the proposal based on the perceived lack of car parking provision.

We argued for the approval of the scheme at the Committee meeting and, following refusal, acted as agent for Helm Housing to win approval at appeal.