Appeal for permission to build Omagh flats is dismissed
An appeal by Omagh Golf Club against the refusal of planning permission for apartments has been dismissed.
The Planning Appeals Commission said the proposals for two blocks of apartments were "out of character" with the surrounding area.
The golf club, on Dublin Road in the town, wanted to build 14 apartments in two blocks on its grounds.
The apartments would have sat 150 metres southeast of the clubhouse, 12 metres from the Dublin Road.
The Planning Appeals Commission deemed this distance too close to the road, with existing neighbouring properties set from between 30 to 80 metres from the road.
The commission said the Dublin Road was an "established residential area" with a "spacious and verdant quality".
It said the proposed new planting around the site would take time to mature and would not soften the "hard urban appearance" of the new buildings.
The commission also said that in accordance with PPS8, any development that would result in the loss of existing open space would only be considered if the redevelopment would bring substantial community benefits.
It concluded that Omagh Golf Club failed to demonstrate any benefits for the community.