A community garden has been approved for the Whiterock area in West Belfast.
Elected representatives at the Belfast City Council Planning Committee unanimously approved an application for a community garden and improvements to the existing unused space, including an allotment area, a pizza and BBQ area and new pathways at 261 Whiterock Road, Belfast, BT12. The applicant is Newhill Youth and Community Centre, of the same address.
The proposal seeks to alter existing rough ground area to the rear of the centre into an area for allotment beds, wildflower and planted areas, as well as improved pathways. To the side there will be a new seating area, BBQ and pizza making space.
Council officers recommended the application for approval. None of the statutory consultees had any objection to the plan.
One objector wrote to Belfast Council stating that higher footfall to the community centre would lead to noise and parking issues, with potential for damage to fencing.
The council case officer’s response in the report was: “The proposal is not designed to increase footfall to the centre but to improve an existing area of open ground to the rear and side of the centre. Potential increased noise levels have been considered by Environmental Health and a condition has been offered to ensure no unacceptable noise affecting amenity.
“The issue of parking on site or on an adjacent road is no different from the current situation. There is no increase proposed in the number of cars attending the site and the on-site parking will not change from the current level of parking.”
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