By Alan Healy
An investigation is under way after a six-foot fence was erected around an area used by children to play on after planning permission was refused to build a house on the site.
Earlier this month, Derry councillors refused an application for a new house at a vacant site in the Waterside after hearing a direct appeal from a local resident who asked that the area as a playing space for his children and other families in the street.
The applicant had sought permission from Derry City and Strabane District n to erect a new two storey dwelling at a site adjacent to 106 Hollymount Park.
Brendan McDaid told council’s Planning Committee that he lived next door to the site of the proposed dwelling, and that it would result in the removal of a green space in an area where there was a lack of spaces for young children to play safely.
He told the meeting that his, and his neighbours’ children, had used the green area for playing for many years.
After hearing his concerns, councillors agreed to accept the planning officer’s recommendation to refuse the application, which Mr McDaid hailed afterwards as a ‘victory for the underdog’.
However, a six-foot fence has now been erected around the green area, meaning it can no longer accessed.
The Derry News spoke with a number of residents of the street, who said that the fences was erected up in a ‘matter of hours’ last Monday.
Speaking to the Derry News yesterday Mr McDaid said that he and a number of other people have reported the matter to the local council , and that an investigation is now under way to determine if the fence is in breach of planning regulations.
“I can understand that the person looking to build the house is disappointed, and it’s his land,” he said.
“But this looks like a prison placed in the middle of the street.”
He added: “The children living in the street are upset too because this was one play area they had in area with very little open spaces.
“What I can’t understand either is the fact that there’s no access this enclosure, so how does he plan to maintain or look after the land if he can’t get into it?
“There’s also the problem that the fence has been up at the gable end of a house, which means the person who owns the home can’t get anywhere near the side of it.”
Mr McDaid continued: “The other issue is that there’s nothing over the top of this fenced area, and there’s a fear among people that it will be filled with rubbish, and there’s no way that can be addressed because there’s no way of getting in to clean it up.”
The Derry News also spoke to Stephen McConomy, who owns the house directly beside the area where the fence has been erected.
“There’s a problem with the cement in a part of the gable wall at my house that needs fixed, but I can’t do that now because of this fence,” he said.
“It’s an absolute eyesore.”
A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council confirmed that an investigation is currently under way into the matter.
“This land is privately owned and responsibility for its maintenance therefore lies with the owner,” the spokesperson said.
“Council is aware that a fence has been erected around the land in recent days and is currently investigating if there is any breach of planning control in relation to this matter.”
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