Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has defied planning advice to approve a haulage yard right next to the home of an 82-year-old man.

At a recent planning meeting, retrospective permission was granted for the retention of an existing haulage yard with upgraded access on the Gola Road, Lisnaskea, which is currently used to store lorry trailers.

This decision came despite a heartfelt appeal from the daughter of James McGovern, 82, urging councillors to reject the application submitted by haulage firm Liam Connolly Roadfreight.

Clodagh McGovern-Swift argued that the yard, which was erected almost a year ago, is having a negative impact on her father's quality of life, and also claimed that the "necessary approvals" had not been met for planning which could set a "dangerous precedent" for other applications.  

"My father is the resident most impacted by this development", said Ms. McGovern-Swift. 

"If this is approved, we face the prospect of a haulage yard that is visually intrusive, disruptive and inappropriate for a residential neighbourhood. 

"My father, who has lived at this address for more than 50-years, relies on the peaceful amenity of his home. This has already been compromised by this unauthorised development."

The application for the retention of the haulage yard was originally lodged in June. A number of alterations to planning have since been made, including a two-metre high blockwork wall which will act as a "visual and acoustic barrier" to nearby properties. 

However, Ms. McGovern-Swift argued that this will make the everyday reality for her father worse. 

"The constant presence of large vehicles is an eyesore, but the proposal to build a two-metre high perimeter wall is even more visually intrusive, creating a sense of enclosure and dominance,  negatively impacting on the area. 

"Realistically, how would you like looked out of every one of your front windows to look into a two-metre-high wall? Would you be prepared to accept this development if it impacted on your family or you're parents, in the same way that it is impacting on mine?

"The stress and anxiety caused over the last 12 months since this started is unquantifiable."

She added: "Furthermore the applicant has shown a disregard for planning authorities by proceeding without the necessary approvals. 

"This sends a worrying message about how planning procedures can be undermined in our area. If developments like this can proceed unchecked, it sets a dangerous precedent for future properties that could have an even more detrimental impact on our area."

Lord Elliot of Ballinamallard argued that the application should be approved, given that it is similar to other industrial developments in the area. 

"The proposed haulage yard is situated adjacent to a long-established yard used for storage and distribution of Fruit and Vegetables," Lord Elliot said. 

"There are also a range of industrial areas close to the location including the main base for Liam Connolly Roadfreight  Limited. The area of Gola Road.  

"Lisnaskea has traditionally had several industrial businesses, including (past & present) Adria, Fermanagh Creameries, Durnien Fruit &  Veg storage and distribution, Western Education & Library Board (later Education  Authority) maintenance centre, DPD Delivery Centre, Fish Processing Centre, which now has at least three other industrial classed businesses, Major Pipes and a former scrapyard on this particular site.

"I understand that there are residential properties nearby, including the development of ‘Rathowen’ which accesses onto the Drumbrughas North Road and not the Gola Road, and the dwellings also on that road, however the predominant development on this section of the Gola Road, has and continues to be industrial."

Ulster Unionist Party Councillor, Robert Irvine, agreed that the area is characterised by industry. 

Referencing a colour-coded map that showed areas of residential and industrial use in the Lisnaskea area, the Councillor said: "Residential and industrial are intermingled. The character of the Western End of Lisnaskea has been set by being a jigsaw of mixed use. 

"I take on board what Lord Elliot has said in regard to industrial usages along the Gola Road, within a reasonable distance. The issue of segregation and characterisation has been set."

Sinn Féin Councillor, Thomas O'Reilly, proposed that the application be approved - despite this being in contrary to the recommendation of planners, who said it should be refused. 

"There are a lot of industrial uses here and these have been outlined to the committee," he said. "The application is of a scale that's small to be incorporated. We have mitigation that it's not going to be used by tractor units; it's going to be used by trailers, some for several months not frequently being moved. This frees up some areas within the main site which is only up the road.

"For those reasons, we go against the planning officer's decision to grant approval of this application."

Seconding this DUP Councillor David Mahon said: "It is accepted that this is a mixed area. No matter what direction you head, you are going to come to an industrial building. It's not a massive site, it's smaller than the existing site and is in keeping with the scale of area. 

"As long as the mitigations proposed are upheld and trailers are parked where they are suggested they ae going to be parked, I am quite happy to second this proposal."