Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has approved a variation allowing M J McBride Developments Ltd to begin limited construction on a 62-house project in Omagh.

The company received planning permission in 2021 for the Ballinamullan Road site, with work required to start by October 2026.

Permission originally required road improvements on Ballinamullan Road before any building work could begin.

The developer asked the council to vary this condition to permit foundation work on the first house before the road upgrades are completed.

Three local residents objected to the change, stating that the road improvements should be finished before construction starts.

The council's planning committee approved the variation despite the objections.

Construction of the proposed A5 road is not due to begin before 2027.