Laganbank councillor Pat McCarthy reads the 80 objections that were submitted to the Planning Service against an application to build a hot food take-away in the Upper Ormeau Road area
Permission granted
despite objections
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
By Gráinne McWilliams
Residents living in the Knockbreda area of south Belfast have criticised
plans for the opening of a hot food take-away nearby, despite 80 objections
being lodged with the Planning Service.
Locals fear that the hot food take-away, which has been given planning
approval to open in the Upper Ormeau Road area, will “alter the character of
the area” and exacerbate traffic problems in the area.
“We had problems with anti-social behaviour around that area 18 months ago
which has thankfully calmed down now,” said Frank Young, chairman of the
Knockbreda Residents' Association.
“But we are still worried that the character of the area will be adversely
affected if the plans go ahead, as well as the environmental implications —
such as potential car parking problems from people pulling in-and-out from
the take-away.
“We have Forestside on our doorstep which already has hot-food outlets
within it, as well as Burger King, so we will have to wait and see how
another food bar will fit into the area.
“We are very disappointed that our objections have been ignored, however, on
behalf of the Knockbreda Residents' Association, we will be monitoring the
development of the hot food take-away and the impact it will have on the
local community.”
Laganbank councillor Pat McCarthy, who campaigned against the planning
application on behalf of residents, said he felt the food bar would “change
the face of this whole area”.
“I have met the planners twice in regards to this issue,” said Mr McCarthy.
“There's already half-a-dozen shops on that section of the Upper Ormeau Road
and a Chinese take-away — so another food outlet is going to cause traffic
problems and encourage teenagers to loiter and hang about.
“There is also a Planning Service ruling barring any more food outlets on
the Ormeau Road from Fitzroy Avenue up to Ballynafeigh Church, so why is
this part of the Ormeau Road excluded from this?”
A spokeswoman for the Planning Service said that planning application for
the hot food take-away was approved on December 11.
She also confirmed that there was a planning ‘clause' relating to the
control of hot food bars on the Ormeau Road, but that it did not apply to
the whole road.
“The whole of the Ormeau Road is not covered because it was considered at
the time that only the area defined by the guidance (Fitzroy Avenue to
Ballynafeigh Church) required this more specific degree of control,” said
the spokeswoman.
“The site of the current application lies outside the zone covered by the
guidance.”
The CT was unable to contact the person who submitted the planning
application for the hot food take-away for comment on this story at the time
of going to press.
