A resident living in the vicinity of 38 Mowhan Road, Markethill, is objecting to a proposed housing scheme which would involve the demolition of the above property, on the grounds that the house in question was built between 1921 and 1939 under the post-WW1 ‘Homes for Heroes’ initiative.
The plans, lodged by the NI Housing Executive’s Asset Management Design, would see No. 38 Mowhan Road – itself a semi-detached dwelling – demolished, while the dwelling it is attached to, at 36 Mowhan Road, would remain in place as it is not part of the proposed scheme.
In all, six townhouses and one bungalow are proposed to be built on an adjacent green area, which would require the demolition of the property at 38 Mowhan Road to provide an access lane to the housing development.
The objector wrote: “The proposal requires demolishing only one half of an existing pair of Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust (ISSLT) semi-detached houses.
“The remaining adjoining cottage (36 Mowhan Road) is structurally reliant on the building marked for demolition. Demolition risks the structural integrity, weather-proofing, and stability of the remaining home.
“The house marked for demolition is one of a matching group of six cottages (three pairs) built between 1921 and 1939 under the post-WW1 ‘Homes for Heroes’ initiative.
“These properties were constructed specifically for veteran ex-servicemen by the Irish Sailors and Soldiers Land Trust and hold immense local historical, social, and cultural significance.
“Demolishing one half of these semi-detached pairings [would] permanently break up and destroy the architectural cohesion and group value of this historic enclave.
“The planning authority has a duty to protect non-designated heritage assets from irreversible loss.”
The planning application indicates the seven properties proposed to be built would each accommodate three bedrooms.
Plans are at the consultation stage. NI Water is recommending refusal on the following grounds: “Sufficient wastewater treatment capacity is not available at present for the proposed development.
“The public system cannot presently serve this development proposal without significant risk of environmental harm. Subject to the applicant engaging with NI Water, NI Water may reconsider its recommendation.”
Despite the objector’s concerns over the potential loss of built heritage, Historic Environment Division deems the plans to be compliant with the relevant policies: “HED (Historic Monuments) has assessed the application and, on the basis of the information provided, is content that the proposal is satisfactory to SPPS and PPS 6 archaeological policy requirements.”
