HC Deb 21 April 1998 vol 310 c603W
Mr. John D. Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the extent of the developments at the Ballyreagh, Bowtown and Movilla Road districts in Newtownards(a) which have received planning permission and (b) for which planning applications are presently under consideration; and what proposals there are to improve the existing road infrastructure in this part of Newtownards. [37557]

Mr. Paul Murphy

Responsibility for these matters have been delegated to the Planning Service and the Roads Service under Mr. T. W. Stewart and Mr. W. McCoubrey respectively. I have asked them to arrange for replies to be given.

Letter from T. W. Stewart to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 8 April 1998: The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your recent Question about housing developments in Newtownards. The extent of the housing development in Ballyreagh, Bowtown and Movilla areas of Newtownards is most appropriately considered within the context of the North Down and Ards Area Plan. Since the commencement of the Plan in 1984, approximately 1650 houses have been built on land zones for development in the east of the town, and it is estimated that there is potential for a further 700 new houses. Planning permission has been granted for a substantial proportion of these dwellings. There are two current planning applications proposing housing development on land not zoned for development in the Plan. These are:

  1. (i) a site of 4.6 hectares at the Movilla Road end of Ballyreagh Road; and
  2. (ii) a site of 20 acres at Bowtown Road end of Ballyreagh Road.
I hope this clarifies the position.

Letter from G. P. Fraser to Mr. John D. Taylor, dated 6 April 1998: The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked the Chief Executive to respond to the roads element of your recently tabled PQ about the extent of developments and proposals to improve the existing roads infrastructure in the Ballyreagh, Bowtown and Movilla Road districts in Newtownards. In his absence, I am replying. Roads Service has 2 proposals for the area in question. A scheme to provide a link between Bowtown Road and Portaferry Road, at an estimated cost of £1M, is currently included in the 6-15 year major road works programme and a scheme to realign a section of road adjacent to 116 Movilla Road, at an estimated cost of £50K, is included in a list of possible schemes for inclusion in the minor works programme for the Ards Borough Council area. I hope you find this information helpful.