By Alan Healy
Deputy Editor
A further housing development is to be constructed at the Crescent Link area of the Waterside after approval was issued for the plans yesterday.
The approval was issued to Taggart Homes to build 48 new homes at the site at yesterday afternoon’s meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Planning Committee.
The lands are located close to Lisneal College and to the rear of Next and Boots at the Crescent Link Retail Park, with the houses made up of 30 detached dwellings and 18 semi-detached dwellings, with provision also included for new cycle paths and footpaths at the site.
A planning officer told the meeting that approval has previously been granted on the site for 70 semi-detached and terraced dwellings, before adding that the current proposal is for the erection of 48 detached dwellings ‘as the developer no longer wishes to build the approved dwellings on the site’.
The meeting was told that work has commenced on site and several dwellings are under construction.
The officer added that no objections had been lodged against the application, and that he application site is located within an ‘established residential area'.
“Local neighbourhood facilities are not required due to the scale of the scheme, however the site is located within walking distance to shopping and neighbourhood facilities in the immediate area,” the officer continued.
The committee was also told that planners were also of the opinion that there ‘will be no unacceptable adverse effect on existing or proposed properties’, before recommending that the application be approved.
The motion was proposed by SDLP Councillor Gus Hastings.
Sinn Fein Councillor Christopher Jackson told the meeting it was filling in a gap site with good quality housing and it was the type of development we should be striving for.
Councillor Tina Gardiner of the SDLP welcomed the reduction in number of houses which he said would mean more space for residents, which was echoed by DUP Alderman Hilary McClintock.
Chair of the Planning Committee Councillor Dan Kelly, said it would further enhance the development of the area. “I was pleased to see the plans approved by the Committee today as they will add to the ongoing development of the area and will also assist in meeting the demand for housing in the city.
“As we progress with the delivery of our Strategic Growth Plan for Derry and Strabane we recognise the need for more quality affordable housing in anticipation of the additional population who will be living and working here over the coming years.
“We want to support our developers as best we can in ensuring we have the capacity to provide additional homes, and that developments meet the highest standards when it comes to design and the preservation of the local environment.”
Pictured above: The site at Crescent Link where work has already commenced with several dwellings under construction.
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