70 new Ballymagroarty homesplanned over huge 28 acre site

A planning application for the scheme has been submitted by Apex in partnership with the Derry builder Braidwater and the owner of lands north west of the existing estate.

If eventually approved the Ballymagroarty neighbourhood will be extended over 28 acres of what has been described in an Environmental Impact Assessment accompanying the application as ‘under-used agricultural lands’.

The outline planning application proposes 70 residential homes and extensive features for the community including a new public park.

Situated on lands adjacent to the Ballymagroarty Community Centre, the development will include a community walkway with a distance of 2.5km (enabling 5km park runs); a play area; trim trails; a picnic area; landscaped grounds on the site of a former flax mill; a wildflower meadow; a birch meadow and an outdoor terrace seating area suitable as a multi-function outdoor space.

The developer says it will be the first major investment in the Ballymagroarty housing stock since the early 1980s.

“Consequently there is no housing provision for younger generations to continue to reside in their own community when leaving the family home. There is a clear need to enable younger generations to stay within their own community,” the planning documents state.

While the development will provide much needed social housing in the area if it goes ahead it will be sympathetic to local environmental and heritage features.

For example, a water course linked to the Swilly systems will be protected and a nearby flax mill, corn mill and standing stone will not be affected by the scheme.

Braidwater Social Affordable Housing is developing the site for the Apex Housing Association.

The building firm said the development will be extremely mindful of the historical origin of the flax mill and that as part of the application, the existing flax mill site will be landscaped and retain historical details by defining the building footprints and providing education and historic information boards.

Vincent Bradley, development director of BW Social Affordable Housing, commented: “We’re delighted to be involved in this project which will help to reduce the severe need for further housing in the west of the city. The plan includes up to 70 residential units and quite a sizable community parkland, which will greatly improve the facilities in the neighbourhood.

“The overall concept is to ensure that the natural extension of the neighbourhood contributes to a healthy way of living for families and individuals, enhancing the day to day life of all the residents in the Ballymagroarty neighbourhood.

“Nature is also to the fore, with careful consideration in the utilisation of open space to improve biodiversity, especially through the introduction of new wood and wildflower areas, the birch glade landscape and ultimately creating an educational nature resource.

“From much needed new housing to a community walk way and wildflower meadows, it sounds idyllic.”