Tamnamore residents 'at their wits end' over apartments plan
Wednesday, 19 November 2008
SAYING how residents are now at "their wits end", local councillors expressed their disgust that planners are of the mind to go ahead with the development of 15 apartments at Tamnamore despite a total of 61 objections.
The concerns surrounding the development of the apartments which are set to include associated landscaping and car parking facilities were discussed at a recent meeting of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council.
The application which has been made by Hallmark Properties NI Ltd has received objections from local councillors and residents, Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew and former Environment Minister, Arlene Foster, all of whom agreed that the development of such a large number of apartments would be out of character in the rural Tamnamore area and would lead to the the over development of such a small site.
There was unanimous agreement that the development of affordable bungalows on the proposed site would be more favourable.
Councillors said that despite these strong objections which were voiced during a meeting held with planners in early October, planners are of the opinion to approve the development. Dungannon and South Tyrone Mayor Lord Maurice Morrow said: "The views of local residents count for little and those of councillors count for less."
Councillors explained how they felt the development of such a number of apartments would be out of character in such a rural area and if approved, could open a floodgate of similar applications throughout the borough.
Deputy Mayor Rodger Burton said he had a letter from the Environment Minister Sammy Wilson to the objectors, saying that they could appeal to the management committee through the council. The Minister said that after examining the deferral he could not defer it again.
Ulster Unionist Councillor Walter Cuddy said the development was not appropriate in a village of less than 500 residents that did not even have a shop.
Sinn Fein Councillor Francie Molloy said that the development was "out of character to the rural nature of the Tamnamore area." He also added how recent developments in the village were comparable to those in a "seaside town".
The application was deferred to allow council to write to the Development Minister to request an all party meeting on the issue.
