Mid Ulster District Council has refused two retrospective planning applications for a site near Stewartstown, after officers raised concerns about overdevelopment, road safety, and loss of privacy for neighbours.

Kevin Quinn, of Killycanavan Road in Ardboe, had sought permission to convert a dwelling and adjoining unused shop floor at 52 Killycolpy Road into six self-contained apartments. A second application proposed changing a mechanics workshop into eight single-room bedsits, each with one habitable room and bathroom.

Both buildings had already undergone extensive works, with floorspace doubled and the bedsit building height increased from approximately four metres to six metres, according to planning officers.

Principal Planning Officer Phelim Marrion told the planning committee that the conversions did not meet policy requirements for minimal intervention or locally important buildings. He said the appearance of both buildings had been significantly altered and that an enforcement notice was already in place for a gym at the rear of the site that was built without permission.

Marrion also highlighted road safety issues, with DfI Roads indicating the access was substandard. He said there was a recent submission that appeared to try to make the proposal fit policies after works were completed.

A neighbouring resident told the committee the development had seriously affected privacy, with one property having more than 20 windows directly overlooking it. She said residents increasingly felt overlooked in their homes and gardens.

A speaker in favour of the applications, Liam Curry, asked for a deferral to allow the applicant to meet with planners. He said the applicant was a long-established employer who wanted to transform the site into a health, wellbeing and recreational hub.

Another resident, speaking on behalf of eight surrounding households, said the gym had been refused planning permission and dismissed at appeal. She said approving the bedsits would set a dangerous precedent by legitimising unauthorised accommodation.

The recommendation to refuse both applications was proposed by Councillor Mark Robinson of the DUP and seconded by Councillor Clement Cuthbertson of the DUP.