A large home on Blackwatertown Main Street could be converted into five flats under plans now being considered by several agencies, but the proposal has already prompted conflicting responses.
The application covers 43 Main Street, where a six-bedroom dwellinghouse would be divided into five self-contained residential units. The plans were lodged by B. O’Reilly Architecture and also include internal alterations and external works.
Five apartments and nine parking spaces
The proposed scheme would create two one-bedroom apartments and three two-bedroom apartments. The applicant says the property is currently in a deteriorated condition and that the work would bring it back into beneficial use through renovation and upgrading.
Five parking spaces currently exist at the site. The proposal would increase that provision to nine spaces in the rear yard, alongside an enclosed and screened bin storage area. The application also refers to the use of existing foul and surface water drainage connections, with upgrades where required.
The plans state that the building’s overall scale and massing would remain largely unchanged. Existing windows would be replaced with white uPVC units, while other external alterations are described as minimal. The property’s existing rear access and substantial rear yard are intended to support parking and servicing.
Agencies give different views
NI Water is currently recommending refusal. However, its response leaves open the possibility of a change after further engagement with the applicant, stating: “Subject to the applicant engaging with NI Water, NI Water may reconsider its recommendation.”
DfI Roads has taken a more supportive position and said it could offer no substantive objection. Its assessment noted that access would be through a narrow alleyway, but that the route is short and has historically served a large domestic property with at least six bedrooms.
DfI Roads also said bin collection for the five apartments would need to take place from the building frontage. It noted that an abnormally wide footway exists at the front of the property.
The Historic Environment Division has also been consulted but had not responded when the report was published. The available material does not state when a final planning decision will be made.
What the applicant says
In its Design and Access Statement, the applicant describes the proposal as the sustainable reuse of an existing structure within Blackwatertown’s settlement limit. It says the internal layout has been designed to make efficient use of the building and provide each apartment with an acceptable standard of accommodation.
The statement also says the development would offer an opportunity to regenerate a vacant and deteriorating property without significant changes to its external form. The proposal includes a designated bin-storage area to protect visual amenity, while the existing drainage connections would be used and upgraded if necessary.
The application remains subject to the ongoing consultation process, including the outstanding response from the Historic Environment Division and any further engagement with NI Water.