Plans for Cliftonville given go ahead

New planning policies, aiming to cut the number of bedsits, one bedroom flats and Houses in Multiple Occupation in Cliftonville, have been given the go ahead by an independent Planning Inspector.

In a letter to the council, the Planning Inspector concluded that new policies, which are contained in the Cliftonville Development Plan Document (DPD), met all the legal and planning criteria set out in the legislation. He hoped that his conclusions and recommendations will “enable the Council to ensure a positive, social, economic and environmental outcome for Cliftonville to benefit the local community.”

In coming to his conclusions, the Inspector had considered comments made on the policies from a number of people and groups living and working in the area.

Cllr. Roger Latchford, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, said: “This is excellent news. We have been working closely with the community in Cliftonville to make sure that these new policies, along with all the other good work going on in the area, will help improve the quality of life of everyone who lives or works there. The independent Inspector asked some searching questions before concluding that our policies were “sound”, which is really good news.”

The Cliftonville DPD has been prepared over the last two years and was submitted to the Secretary of State in October 2009, so that the “soundness” of the document could be checked. This is the final stage in the planning policy process, as the Inspector’s report is binding on the Council.

The new planning document contains a number of policies, including:

• Restrictions on bedsits, one bedroom flats and Houses in Multiple Occupation.
• Retaining existing family housing in the area and requiring the provision of new family homes and not flats, unless exceptionally justified, in new developments.
• Support for proposals to upgrade existing tourist accommodation or the provision of new tourist accommodation.

The new planning document will be reported to full Council as soon as possible, so it can be formally adopted. Once adopted, the Cliftonville DPD will form part of the council’s Local Development Framework.