Council issues outline planning permission for major development on Buncrana Road

Members of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Planning Committee yesterday approved outline planning permission for the development of land west of the Buncrana Road between Whitehouse Road and Benview Estate, Coshquin in Derry, for residential development that would include a mix of housing, local community facilities, open space, cycle / pedestrian routes and vehicular access, a primary school, drainage and other infrastructure.

The application was made by Pragma Planning and Development Consultants Ltd on behalf of Coredale Management Ltd., and the site discussed has been identified as H2 Zone in the Derry Area Plan.

Members of the Planning Committee were informed at the meeting that the development plans are made up of a number of elements including the housing development where the entire zoning could accommodate up to 3500 mixed housing homes and that this planning application is for part of the H2 zoning and consists of Phase 1 which will accommodate up to 1650 homes and Phase 2 will accommodate up to 1850 homes.

While the remaining land within the zoning is not part of the application proposal, members were told how Concept Master Plan demonstrates how the land could be comprehensively developed as part of the entire zoning.

The proposed development plan also includes access roads, cycle and pedestrian routes, open spaces, a church, primary school, retail provision, crèche and day care facilities and a spine road network and associated infrastructural works.

Key to the application is the fact that the application is based on the principle of sustainable urbanism that will include urban blocks that front onto streets and a movement pattern that prioritizes walking, cycling and public transport.

Welcoming the decision to approve the outline planning permission for the development. Cllr Dan Kelly, Chairperson of the Planning Committee said the importance of the application for the area could not be over emphasised.

He said: “This is a significant boost for the Buncrana Road area of the city and is a really good news story for the entire North West region. Not only will it help address the housing issue but it will also provide a much needed boost to the local economy in terms of construction jobs. This application is also in keeping with Council’s commitment to developing housing, regenerating and investment in this area of the city as outlined in our Strategic Growth Plan.”

A decision on the application cannot issue until the Section 76 Legal Agreement and the A122 Agreement have been finalised and signed.