ABC Planning & Regulatory Services committee members have approved plans for the formation of a link road at Gosford Park to help manage traffic when special events are being held within the demesne, such as Armagh Show.
The planning application was lodged by CT Lindsay Chartered Architect Ltd, Richhill, on behalf of Armagh County Agricultural Show Society.
The planning application was discussed at the September 2 meeting of the Planning & Regulatory Services committee meeting, with Senior Planning Officer, Trudy Chapman commenting in the course of a PowerPoint presentation: “This application seeks permission for the formation of an internal link road within Gosford Forest Park, connecting two existing estate roads within an area known locally as the exhibition field.
“The purpose of the proposal is to improve internal access and movement within the park, particularly during events such as the Armagh Show, and does not involve any alteration to the existing access onto Gosford Road.
“In terms of principle, the proposed link road is considered to be ancillary to the existing recreational use of the park and would support the continued use of the exhibition field, particularly for events.
“It will not result in the loss of open space, as the field would remain available and usable, and the road would assist in managing movement across the site, and reducing potential damage to the grass areas during periods of heavier use or poor weather.
“The road is to be formed using self-binding gravel with no defined boundary treatment, and the proposal has therefore been assessed as having minimal visual impact.
“The application was accompanied by a preliminary ecological assessment which suggested mitigation measures by way of protective fencing, to ensure the two trees adjacent to the proposed road are protected during the construction works.
“One of them is a stump, but it has biodiversity value and is important to retain.
“Consultees included DfI Roads, Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and Historic Environment Division, and none of them raised any objections. We have received no third-party representations.
“Officers are satisfied the proposal complies with all relevant planning policy and therefore recommend the application be approved.”
Councillor Paul Duffy (SF, Portadown DEA) asked the council representative: “Just no real objections as such. I just want to make sure there’s no protected things on the site that you can’t develop a road there, and no environmental [concerns] going on.”
The Senior Planning Officer replied: “There was a preliminary ecological assessment submitted. The area itself is improved grassland and does not have very much biodiversity value, but those two adjacent trees do. That is why [we want] to ensure we can condition their protection.
“The wider site does have a lot of biodiversity, but this particular area, being grassland, does not. NIEA were consulted and had no objections to the proposal.”
Councillor Julie Flaherty (UUP, Portadown DEA) wanted to clarify the intended use of the proposed new road.
“Just to be clear in my own mind what this actually is,” she said. “It’s solely to facilitate the already established use, established events and recreational use. It’s not necessarily for the public or anything like that. It’s just to allow for the smooth operation of the site. Is that correct?”
The Senior Planning Officer confirmed that this was the case, saying: “Yes, my understanding is that, particularly for the Armagh Show, if it’s bad weather, there can be lots of traffic issues. This is intended to try and simplify all of that.”
Councillor Scott Armstrong (DUP, Armagh DEA) spoke in support of the planning application: “I’m happy to propose this. The Armagh Show team do a great job and hopefully this will help them on show days and alleviate any problems they have.”
Cllr Armstrong’s proposal was seconded by Cllr Flaherty.
