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Cookstown

HOUSING ZONINGS

Over the plan period the largest demand for development land will come from the housing market. The Regional Development Strategy estimates that Cookstown District will require an additional 3,300 dwellings by 2015. In order to meet this requirement the Plan zones 70.6 hectares of land as Phase 1 housing land.

In accordance with Plan Policy HOUS 1, favourable consideration will normally be given to the development of this land at any time over the plan period. The Plan also zones a further 77.5 hectares of land as Phase 2 housing land. This land will be held in reserve and its development in the short term will not be permitted. Release of this land will be subject to review in 2005.

The Department will require high standards of layout and design within all housing areas and public open space will be required on some housing sites in accordance with prevailing regional planning policy.

The key site requirements for each of the housing zonings are as follows:

PHASE 1 HOUSING

 H 01      Land to the rear of The Ash and
               Coolreaghs Road
 

This 2.78 hectare site is located at the north end of the town and can be accessed via The Ash, off Coolreaghs Road.

Key site requirements:

• a full tree condition survey should be carried out and those trees in good condition retained;

• satisfactory access should be provided from The Ash;

• pedestrian cycle access should be provided through the site to link in with the housing land (H 21) to the west;

• at least 0.3 hectares of open space is required. This would be best located next to the western site boundary in order to link with any open space requirement for the neighbouring housing site, H 21, to the west. It could also involve retention of the orchard for passive recreational purposes; and

• all dwellings should be designed to ensure that houses do not overlook directly any of the neighbouring residential properties in Coolreaghs Road or The Ash.

 
 H 02      Land to the rear of Coolreaghs Road and
               Claggan Lane
              
This backland site of 6.68 hectares is located to the rear of the housing on Coolreaghs Road and Claggan Lane and has views across the open countryside to the Sperrins.

Key site requirements:

• a full tree condition survey should be carried out and mature trees in good condition and hedgerows on the boundaries should be retained. The housing layout should also incorporate the retention of existing trees on the central portion of the site;

• the layout should be designed to ensure that houses front onto Claggan Lane and Coolreaghs Road;

• at least 0.6 hectares of open space incorporating children’s play provision and recreation should be provided. This should be located in part or in full towards the northern site boundary in order to link with any open space requirement for the housing site to the north;

• pedestrian/cycle access to Claggan Lane and Coolreaghs Road should be maximised through use of the existing farm access. Pedestrian/cycle access across the site and to H 23 should be provided;

• access through the site should be provided for public transport;

• a range of house types should be provided; and

• the housing layout should open up views of the Sperrins from the street scene.

 
 H 03      Land east of Coolreaghs Road and south of
               Claggan Lane
              
This 2.62 hectare green field site benefits from trees and hedgerows along its northeastern, southwestern and central field boundaries. Access is available from both Coolreaghs Road and Claggan Lane.

Key site requirements:

• a full tree condition survey should be carried out and mature trees and hedgerows on the boundaries should be retained;

• the layout should be designed to ensure that houses do not back onto Claggan Lane or Coolreaghs Road;

• at least 0.25 hectares of open space for children’s play provision should be provided;

• pedestrian access to link with Claggan Park, and pedestrian/cycle access to the lane to the south of the site, should be provided;

• if access is constructed from Claggan Lane, a footway will be required to link the access to the existing public footway network; and

• access, including provision of public transport and pedestrian/cycle access, should be made available to link Coolreaghs Road or Claggan Lane through H 03 to neighbouring housing land to the east, H 04.

 
 H 04      Land to the Rear of 50-58 Moneymore Road
              
 
This 8.2 hectare site is located to the rear of the large properties on Moneymore Road and south of the residential development at Claggan Park. The site is situated on a hill top rising from Moneymore Road.

Key site requirements:

• access to site H 04 from H 03 should include provision for public transport and pedestrian/cycle movement to link from Coolreaghs Road or Claggan Lane through the site to Claggan Park;

• access to site H 04 from Claggan Park should include provision for vehicle/pedestrian/cycle movement. However, it should be noted that this access is only adequate to serve a maximum of 100 dwellings including the existing housing;

• at least 0.8 hectares of open space for children’s play provision should be provided. This open space could be designed as a focal point for the surrounding housing;

• the land on the site is steeply sloping and will require careful attention to matters relating to layout, siting, design and density;

• a full tree condition survey should be carried out and the mature trees on the site, together with boundary hedgerows, should be retained. Where appropriate, the large mature trees within the site should be retained within the areas of public open space;

• a range of house types should be provided; and

• the existing vegetation along the site’s northeastern boundary should be strengthened by additional planting of indigenous trees.

 
 H 05      Land between 34-40 Moneymore Road
              
 
This 0.52 hectare gap site on Moneymore Road would be suitable for a substantial single dwelling or two detached dwellings. Higher densities could be achieved through the erection of apartments with a shared access. The site would also be well suited to the development of a residential care home.

Key site requirements:

• a single access should be provided off Moneymore Road;

• existing boundary trees should be retained; and

• development should not prejudice the lane to the north of the site and its potential use for cycle/pedestrian access.

 
 H 06      Land to the rear of 19 Moneymore Road
              
 
This 2.13 hectare site is situated south of Moneymore Road.

Key site requirements:

• a single access and a right turning lane may be required to be provided off Moneymore Road;

• existing boundary trees should be retained;

• pedestrian/cycle access should be made available to link Moneymore Road with the proposed pedestrian/cycle path to the rear of the site;

• the layout should be designed to ensure that houses front onto Moneymore Road; and

• the land on the site is steeply sloping and this will require careful attention to matters relating to layout, siting, design and density.

 
 H 07      Land to the north of Beechway
              
 

This 2.47 hectare site is situated next to the completed Phase 1 of the Eastern Distributor Road and can be accessed from either Beechway or off the Moneymore Road.

Key site requirements:

• access should be taken from either the northern boundary of the site via the access to Moneymore Road or via Beechway. No direct access onto the Eastern Distributor Road will be permitted;

• access via Beechway will require the construction of a footway along the northern side of Beechway to connect with the existing public footway network;

• pedestrian/cycle access should be made available to link Beechway with Moneymore Road; and

• the existing vegetation along the northern and southern site boundaries should be retained and screen planting using an indigenous species of trees and bushes should be provided along the eastern site boundary.

 
 H 08      Land to the rear of Ferguy Heights and
               Oldtown Street
              
This 2.32 hectare site is located to the rear of Ferguy Heights and is part of a drumlin, which falls away in a northern direction. Access to the site is currently via Ferguy Heights. However, it should be noted that this access is only adequate to serve a maximum of 100 dwellings, including the existing housing. Alternative access is possible from the Moneymore Road through housing zoning H 06.

Key site requirements:

• a full tree condition survey of all trees on the site will be required as well as retention of all mature trees and hedgerows along the site boundaries;

• a right turning lane may be required at the junction with Oldtown Street;

• the laneway on the northern site boundary will be required as a walkway/cycleway to Milburn Street;

• pedestrian/cycle access to the abutting open space will be required, allowing for a pedestrian link out through Beechway;

• the design of the dwellings located on the hill top in the southern portion of the site should reflect the need to minimise visual prominence; and

• the land on the site is steeply sloping and will require careful attention to matters relating to layout, siting, design and density.

 
 H 09      Land to the south of The Dales and north
               of Old Coagh Road
              
This 7.68 hectare site is located next to the completed Phase 1 of the Eastern Distributor Road. The site slopes away from the new road before falling to the east. A pedestrian underpass links the site to Beechway. Access to this land will need to be taken from Old Coagh Road, although it should be noted that access for a limited number of dwellings is available from The Dales.

Key site requirements:

• Old Coagh Road should be upgraded to facilitate access;

• a footpath/cycleway should be provided through the site linking the subway with the southeastern corner of the site;

• a footway should be provided along Old Coagh Road to link the access to the existing public footway network;

• access through the site should be provided for public transport;

• a landscaping scheme will be required which should include planting thoughout the site with particular attention to the boundary with Old Coagh Road. Screen planting of indigenous tree species should be provided along the slopes of the relief road and to the site’s eastern boundary;

• a range of housing densities and house types should be provided; and

• at least 0.5 hectares of open space, incorporating children’s play provision, should be provided, preferably at the western end of the site.

 
 H 10      Land to the north of Fountain Road
              
 
This 3.91 hectare site is located adjacent to the entrance to Cookstown Leisure Centre and backs onto the playing fields of Cookstown High School.

Key site requirements:

• a right turning lane may be required onto Fountain Road;

• a full tree survey will be required. Trees on the northern boundary of the site should be retained. The housing layout should also retain the mature trees along the central field boundary and the road frontage;

• additional screen planting should be provided along Fountain Road and the boundary adjacent to the all weather pitch; and

• the layout should be designed to ensure houses front onto Fountain Road.

 
 H 11      Land north of Fountain Road (west of entrance
               to Cookstown Leisure Centre)
              

This 2.78 hectare site is located at the north end of the town and can be accessed via The Ash, off Coolreaghs Road.

Key site requirements:

• a full tree condition survey should be carried out and those trees in good condition retained;

• satisfactory access should be provided from The Ash;

• pedestrian cycle access should be provided through the site to link in with the housing land (H 21) to the west;

• at least 0.3 hectares of open space is required. This would be best located next to the western site boundary in order to link with any open space requirement for the neighbouring housing site, H 21, to the west. It could also involve retention of the orchard for passive recreational purposes; and

• all dwellings should be designed to ensure that houses do not overlook directly any of the neighbouring residential properties in Coolreaghs Road or The Ash.

 
 H 12      Land to the rear of Fountain Road, 
               Coolnafranky Park and Lomond Heights
              
This 3.55 hectare backland site is located adjacent to existing open space at Coolnafranky.

Key site requirements:

• access should be taken from Fountain Court or Lomond Heights subject in both cases to the provision of a footway to link with the existing public footway network and the provision of a right turning lane off Fountain Road;

• the development should not interfere with the alignment of the Eastern Distributor Road (EDR), although provision should be made for cycle and pedestrian access from the EDR to link with the proposed safer route to school on Fountain Road. The access should follow the line of the watercourse to the northern boundary;

• existing mature boundary trees should be retained;

• dwellings should be orientated to face onto the Coolnafranky play space and the palisade fencing removed; and

• the land on the site is steeply sloping and will require careful attention to matters relating to layout, siting, design and density.

 
 H 13       Land at Westbury Drive, west of Westland
                Road South
              
This 5.49 hectare site consists of a large hill sloping up from the road and then falling away to the treelined Ballinderry River. The hill contains the buried remains of a rath.

Key site requirements:

• all trees along the southern, western and eastern site boundaries must be retained;

• access should be provided from Westland Road South via the existing housing development road, Westbury Drive;

• a walkway/cycleway should be provided to link the Ballinderry River walkway to the west of the site with Westbury Drive;

• a footway should be provided on Westland Road at the frontage of Westbury Drive to connect with existing footways;

• a right turning lane may be required;

• the buried remains of the rath should be protected from development and a tree circle should be reinstated outside of the rath; and

• the land on the site is steeply sloping and will require careful attention to matters relating to layout, siting, design and density.

 
 H 14      Land east of Westland Road South
              
 
This 3.07 hectare green field site rises steeply towards a hill top rath. The rath, which is a local landmark, is marked by a tree circle of conifers.

Key site requirements:

• no development should take place within a 15 metre radius of the rath. This area should not be used by construction vehicles, for the storage of building materials or for the spreading of excavated soil;

• no part of the development should take place in advance of the implementation of a programme of archaeological work as agreed with the Department’s Environment and Heritage Service, including the recording of any archaeological remains discovered during the stripping of topsoil and other works of site preparation;

• the housing layout adjacent to the rath should be designed to ensure that houses front onto it and do not exceed one storey;

• a cycle/walkway should be provided to link from the proposed car park and a river access on the opposite site of road with Convent Road;

• the housing layout should be designed to open up views of the rath from Westland Road South, and the proposed car park and river access opposite;

• the layout should be designed to ensure that houses do not back onto Westland Road South;

• a tree survey will be required and the layout should incorporate, where appropriate, all existing mature trees and hedgerows; and

• the land on the site is steeply sloping and will require careful attention to matters relating to layout, siting and design.

 
 H 15      Land to the south of Tullaville and West of
               Westland Road
              
This 2.41 hectare site currently contains two dwellings and associated outbuildings.

Key site requirements:

• the grass verge and open space towards the Westland Road entrance should be retained;• mature trees on the site and mature hedgerows along the site boundaries should be retained;

• pedestrian/cycle access through the site to link with the Ballinderry River walkway should be provided. Pedestrian/cycle links should also be made available with the neighbouring housing site, H 16, to the west;

• the layout should be designed to ensure that houses front onto Westland Road; and

• some of the land on the site is steeply sloping and will require careful attention to matters relating to layout, siting, design and density.

 
 H 16      Land south of Tullagh View
              
 
This 0.91 hectare site is accessible via Tullagh View and contains an electricity substation.

Key site requirements:

• development of the site is dependent on improvement of the junction of Tullagh Road and Westland Road;

• the boundary hedgerows and trees should be retained;

• pedestrian/cycle access should be provided to link with the neighbouring housing site, H 15; and

• the land on the site is gently sloping and will require careful attention to matters relating to layout, siting, design and density.

 
 H 17      Land to the north of Tullagh Road
              
 
This 4.38 hectare green field site rises steadily from Tullagh Road in a northerly direction.

Key site requirements:

• 0.5 hectares of public open space should be provided on a single site, incorporating children’s play provision, preferably to link with open space required for the neighbouring development, H 26;

• a full tree survey will be required and, where appropriate, existing trees and hedgerows should be retained and augmented, with special attention given to the western boundary;

• the developer will be responsible for providing a footway along the northern side of Tullagh Road over the frontage of the site; and

• access including public transport and pedestrian/cycle movement should be made available to link Tullagh Road through H 17 and H 26 to Orritor Road.

Favourable consideration will also be given to the development of local convenience shopping provided the net floorspace does not exceed 250 square metres. The shopping should be an integral part of the housing layout.

 
 H 18      Land north of Orritor Road
              
 
This 3.59 hectare green field site can be accessed off Orritor Road and from the adjacent housing land to the north and west.

Key site requirements:

• an area of approximately 0.5 hectares of public open space incorporating formal children’s play provision should be provided. This should be located towards the western boundary of the site so that it could link with the open space requirement on the neighbouring land;

• the plantation of conifers to the east of the site should be retained and the hedge to the west should be incorporated into the housing layout; and

• access including vehicular/pedestrian/cycle movement should be made available to link Orritor Road through H 18, H 19 and H 28 to Lissan Road and Morgans Hill Road.

 
 H 19      Land west of Morgans Hill Road
              
 
This 6.10 hectare site is located in a dip on Morgans Hill Road and has planning permission for 146 dwellings. Development is ongoing.
 
 H 20      Land south of Lissan Road and north of
               Windsor Crescent
              
This 0.98 hectare site is located north of Windsor Crescent and Woodglen Crescent residential developments on the northwestern edge of Cookstown. There is an existing area of open space to the southeast of the site at Woodglen Crescent.

Key site requirements:

• access to the site should be via Woodglen Crescent;

• pedestrian/cycle access should be made available to link the site to the open space at Windsor Crescent and the neighbouring housing site H 29;

• a range of house types should be provided.