Planning officials have given the green light to over 160 new residential properties in three proposed housing developments in County Fermanagh.

In the past two months, Lynden Keys has been granted permission to build 87 units off the Derrygonnelly Road, near Kinarla Lough; David Mahon has been granted permission to build 68 homes at Station Road, Kesh and Robert Darragh has been granted permission to build 12 new houses in Clabby.

Speaking about Mr. Mahon’s proposed 68-house development at Kesh – which was decided within six months of submitting the planning application – planning consultant Les Ross said: “The site is made up of two fields close to the centre of Kesh. There were separate planning histories on each field and a total of 70 house approvals on those fields over the years. We re-looked at the site in a comprehensive way. The new layout emphasises the standing stone at the centre of the site and it respects the riverside setting.”

Addressing Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s Planning Committee meeting on December 14, Mr. Ross outlined that they want to create “attractive housing” that “performs a gateway function to Kesh.”

Six people attended a community consultation event in Kesh and three letters of objection were received. 

Planning permission was granted for the Kesh development on December 19, subject to 22 conditions being met.

Mr. Ross concluded: “It’s a proposal for modern, desirable family homes and hopefully this approval will allow some start on the development soon.”

Mr. Keys’ planning application for 87 units and associated open space, landscaping, roads and right hand turning lane off the Derrygonnelly Road was passed on November 28, subject to 23 conditions being met.
It had received 74 objections.

The professional planning report, which recommended that planning permission be granted, said: “The site is a large green field located to the north of the Derrygonnelly Road. There is a lane way running along the western boundary of the site which serves several dwellings. These dwellings are at a much higher level than the site.”

The proposal is described as “incorporating a mixture of detached and semi-detached dwellings in a quality residential environment.” 
According to planners, “it draws upon the positive aspects of the area, respects the existing units and the environment and complies with all relevant policies.”

The houses would be two storey and one-and-a-half storey, finished in grey concrete roof tiles with light cream render. Some units will have a flint stone finish.

Mr. Darragh’s proposal is for six blocks of semi-detached dwellings (12 houses in total) in Clabby. It is an amended proposal to previous approval.