Department for Infrastructure issues opinion on planning applications for Blaris, Lisburn

The Department for Infrastructure has today issued Notices of Opinion for two planning applications in the Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council area which were called into the Department for consideration.

The Department has recommended approval of full planning permission ( ref: LA05/2018/1155/F) for an application proposing the construction of a new 1.6 kilometre link road, which would connect the existing M1 junction 8/A101 roundabout to the existing Moira/Knockmore Road junction on lands at Blaris, Lisburn. 

The Department has recommended refusal of outline planning permission (ref: LA05/2018/1154/0) for an application proposing mixed-use development to include new housing and commercial floor space, a link road, riverside and parkland on lands at Blaris, Lisburn between existing M1 Junction 8/ A101 roundabout and Moira Road/ Knockmore Road junction. The decision was made on the grounds that the proposal is considered contrary to the local development plan and regional policies. 

When reaching the decisions, the Permanent Secretary of the Department has given full and careful consideration to all material planning matters for both applications. She made the decisions under powers laid out in the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2022.   

Notices of Opinion will now issue to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and the applicant.

The decisions are available at: https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/simple-search

Notes to editors: 

1. The applications were called into the Department in January 2022. Since then, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council has progressed a new draft Plan Strategy, which has completed Independent Examination, following which a direction issued to the Council in June 2023.  The Council was directed to adopt the Plan Strategy with modifications.
2. Notices of Opinion will now issue to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and the applicant. There is a right to a hearing before the Planning Appeals Commission should either the Council or the applicant disagree with the Department’s opinion.
3. All media queries should be directed to the Department for Infrastructure Press Office at: press.office@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk
4. Follow the Department on Twitter @deptinfra, on Facebook @DepartmentforInfrastructure and on LinkedIn at Department for Infrastructure
5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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