BY MARK McKELVEY
A PROPOSAL to knock down a two-storey house and replace it with eight apartments has raised temperatures in Cannon Hill. Residents of the area have lodged several letters of opposition to the plan following receipt of notification from the Planning Service.
Developer Damien McCaffrey has submitted plans to erect an apartment block containing six two-bedroom apartments and two one-bedroom apartments, in place of the house and garage at the site.
Brian Mullan, who lives at 3 Cannon Hill, and is effectively the next door neighbour, is one of several residents opposing the plan.
"This would be completely out of keeping with the area. This is a long established area settled by families. By their very nature apartments do not attract families, rather, people tend to use them in a transitory way. That would be a fundamental change for the community.
Mr Mullan also suggested that there are concerns as to whether or not the current sewage infrastructure in the area could accommodate this extra pressure. He further suggested that access to the site would be difficult for more than one or two vehicles
Mr McCaffrey was contacted by the Herald, and said, "It is in the hands of the Planning Service now. It is up to them what happens next."
He said he had heard of no complaints about the proposal from any of the residents. When it was suggested that the structure would be out of keeping with the other properties in the park he said, "Everyone has their own opinions."
The Kevlin Community and Development Association secretary, Cllr Ross Hussey, said he had been contacted by several concerned residents. "As a resident and a local councillor for Omagh town, I would share their concerns. We see here where a developer is proposing to build basically a block of flats on the site of one house. If we assume the national average of 1.5 cars per house we will increase the traffic in the area by 12 cars, goodness only knows where the cars will be parked."
He continued, "This will add to congestion in the area and have a knock on effect on the Kevlin Road. Concerns have already been highlighted in this area over the ageing sewer systems and naturally. Finally we will see a major change in the character of the neighbourhood from detached family homes to flats. This type of development is not required in this part of the town as the Coolnagard Village development already caters for this. We have already seen attempts to introduce this type of development into Omagh fail and hopefully this proposal will have the same fate.
"I have recommended to the residents that they lobby my fellow councillors seeking their support to stop this development getting off the ground."
