'Huge credit to tireless campaigners': People power hailed as threatened wood saved from axe, provincewide planning authority throwing out housing development bid
A protected Co Down wood appears to have been saved from the chop once and for all, with moves to build a housing project over it thrown out by a provincewide planning authority.
The move would seem to be the end of a long-running battle over Tullynagardy Wood on the outskirts of Newtownards, with an area MLA hailing the people power of local residents who waged a campaign against the development.
Some of the trees in the wood are up to 200-years-old and a host of them are protected, but people who live close to it were dumbstruck when council planners nevertheless gave a thumbs-up to a proposal that would have constructed a housing development on more than one-third of the site.
The move sparked outrage from locals and the Woodland Trust, the latter of whom regarded the construction green light as “threatening an irreplaceable habitat”.
Last autumn, politicians on Ards and North Down Council took the rare step of breaking with their own planners and refused permission to build; developer WJ Law went on to lodge an appeal against the refusal with a higher provincewide planning authority, but has now lost that case.
A verdict from the Planning Appeals Commission dismissed arguments from the developer that the intended site of the houses shouldn’t count as part of Tullynagardy Wood, as it’s mainly a clearing and scrubland.
Commissioner Kieran O’Connell said: “Woodland is not defined solely by continuous tree cover and may include areas of regeneration, scrub and internal clearings.
“Evidence identifies the appeal site as forming part of a long-established woodland. This is a classification based on continuity of woodland conditions rather than uniform canopy cover.
“The presence of clearings, scrub and semi-improved grassland within the appeal site is consistent with that classification and does not undermine its relationship with the wider wooded environment.”
The entire area, he added, forms a “green lung” within a built-up district, as well as a “wildlife corridor from one habitat to another”, meaning it “constitutes open space of public value”.
Planning legislation holds that such open spaces can only be built over in very specific circumstances, with strict tests over which developments can be permitted – tests the suggested scheme did not pass in the eyes of the commissioner.
Mr O’Connell said: “The proposed development would introduce built form, access, infrastructure and suburban gardens into this woodland environment.”
Although only a few trees would be chopped down to make way for the homes and the developer said some replanting was on the cards, the commissioner concluded the changes would still “result in the permanent loss of part of the woodland”.
Strangford MLA Nick Mathison, who backed local residents and fought against the development, said he’s “absolutely delighted” by the commissioner’s verdict.
“Huge credit to a group of tireless local campaigners, who fought for this outcome with such commitment,” said the Alliance politician.
“Thanks to the Woodland Trust and [non-profit organisation providing planning advice] Community Places for their support and advice through this long process. A great decision to protect the environment in Newtownards.”