Settlement Proposals
Towns
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In line with its role as a local hub as established by the Regional Development Strategy and its District Town status, it is considered appropriate and in accordance with the RDS, that Magherafelt should accommodate a substantial portion of the District housing allocation.

The Plan makes provision for approximately 1750 dwellings in Magherafelt town over the Plan period. This includes dwellings built since 31 December 1998, the yield arising from existing commitments and the estimated yield delivered by the housing zonings. Further details of the housing allocation are contained in the Population and Housing Technical Supplement. A total of approximately 68 hectares of land is zoned for housing in Magherafelt town under Allocation HOU 1 in Part 2 of the Plan. Housing lands are identified on Map No. 81a - Magherafelt.

Sites have been selected to allow for the efficient use of land within the urban footprint, to provide choice in the housing market and to include existing commitments on sites where development has occurred since the beginning of the Plan period. Other factors influencing site selection include accessibility to the town centre and to public transport and the aim to minimise detrimental impact upon the environment.

Zoned housing land will be developed in accordance with all prevailing regional planning policy and with the relevant Plan Proposals including the key site requirements. These key site requirements may include access requirements, infrastructure requirements, public open space provision, landscaping, provision for walking and/or cycling and other site specific requirements. In the case of the larger sites, the submission to the Department of a Concept Master Plan will be a key site requirement in the interests of comprehensive and quality development.

Some of the zoned housing sites in Magherafelt are subject to drainage constraints. Prospective developers are recommended to consult with Rivers Agency of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and with the Water Service of the Department for Regional Development at an early stage. Further advice is contained in the Public Services and Utilities section in Part 2 of the Plan.

HOUSING ZONINGS

Committed sites include approved housing sites developed in full or in part for 10 or more dwellings since the commencement of the Plan period.

Details of the current (November/December 2003) status of these sites are set out below for information purposes.

MT 02/01 Hospital Road (0.35 hectare)

Planning permission was granted for 14 dwellings on this site in May 2002 and are now built.

MT 02/02 Deramore Park

10 dwellings have been built within this housing development since the start of the Plan period. Owing to the scattered location of these dwellings within the established housing development it is not feasible to portray a boundary encompassing these committed units.

MT 02/03 The Brambles

This housing development was approved in July 1997, with an extension to the site approved in July 1998. Since the start of the Plan period 10 dwellings have been built. There is capacity for a further 2 approved units. Owing to the scattered location of these dwellings within the established housing development it is not feasible to portray a boundary encompassing these committed sites.

MT 02/04 The Spires, Station Road (0.32 hectare)

Planning permission for 9 town houses was granted in April 2000 and all have been built since then. There remains potential for 4 apartments which were approved in March 2003.

MT 02/05 Sherbourne Park/Heights

This housing development has been subject to a number of applications, typically for 2 to 3 units. Since the start of the Plan period 15 dwellings have been built. There is capacity for a further 2 approved units. Owing to the scattered location of these dwellings within the established housing development it is not feasible to portray a boundary encompassing these committed units.

MT 02/06 Piney Hill (0.75 hectare)

Full planning permission was granted for housing development on a larger site in June 1993. 10 dwellings have been built on the zoned site since January 2000, under an amended scheme approved in February 1999. The development is now complete.