An applicant and his agent, who have been repeatedly asked to provide additional information in relation to farm diversification plans, have been given one month to comply with the request.
The farm diversification planning application seeks permission to use existing farm sheds for the shot blasting and powder coating of steel products.
The planning application was lodged by Henry Marshall Brown Architectural Partnership, Cookstown, on behalf of Brian Quinn, who lives at 26 Corr Road, Dungannon, next to the sheds in question, at 24 Corr Road.
Mid Ulster Planning officers need to be furnished with a dust, odour and noise assessment, however this has not been supplied to date, despite repeated requests.
This gave Planning officers no choice but to recommend refusal.
The matter was discussed at the July 1 Planning meeting of Mid Ulster District Council.
Councillors were informed that the applicant had asked for a further delay to supply that information.
Principal planning officer, Phelim Marrion stated: “The refusal reasons for this is really because of lack of information.
“We’ve been asking for a dust, odour and noise assessment associated with the proposal. We asked for the information in October 2023, September 2024, and January 2025.
“In January 2025, we were advised it would be provided in March, and we’ve received nothing.”
Service director of Planning, Karen Doyle remarked: “It’s a classic example. I seem like I’ve been beating the same drum this past couple of months.
“We’ve asked for information since October 2023. Now, if we’ve been told we’re getting the information, I’ll take that at face value. But you can see where we’re coming from in this time and time again. And that’s emails and phone calls from a case officer.
“So, look, members, if the request is there to defer it, it’s over to you whether you want to agree to that.”
Mid Ulster District Council Deputy Chair, Cllr Denise Johnston (SDLP, Moyola DEA) recommended a one-month deferral for that information to be provided.
The recommendation was seconded by Cllr Dan Kerr (Independent, Torrent DEA).
