Cunningham hits out at DUP over apartments decision

Sinn Féín councillor Tierna Cunningham has hit out at DUP councilors on a council committee after they voted to pass plans to build 28 apartments that are heavily opposed by local residents.
Plans were submitted to the Planning Service to build four apartment blocks, which will make up 28 apartments on the wood at Pineview on the upper Whitewell Road. The wooded area links Pineview and the Antrim Road and is one of the few green spaces left in the area.
People living in the area are heavily opposed to the plans and met with planning officials in January to discuss the proposals and outline their reasons why the build should not go ahead.
However the Planning Service gave the development the green light. The development then went before Belfast City Council's Town Planning Committee last Thursday. The committee does not have the power to veto the Planning Service's decision, however they can voice their objection to it. If that is done it the goes back to the Planning Service for further consideration.
However at last week's meeting the DUP voted against residents' wishes and, without cross party opposition to the plans, the application was passed by the committee. The only chance for the application to be halted is if the whole council opposes it at next month's meeting.
Sinn Féín councillor Tierna Cunningham, who lives in the area and is opposed to the build, said she was under the impression the DUP would support the residents’ objections.
"Last week it was put on the agenda of the Town Planning Committee as an approval. At this stage the only way to get a previously deferred item taken back is to have cross party support on this matter," she said.
"This had not been a problem as prior to the meeting I had strongly lobbied all the parties who sit on the Town Planning Committee and they all agreed for it to be taken back.
"However ten minutes before the meeting started a DUP councillor approached me and said that unfortunately they were withdrawing their support.
"I understand as a local elected representative and a resident the importance of this issue for the community and I am sure residents are feeling particularly frustrated at this decision. There is no obvious local rationale for the DUP’s decision especially given that none of the councillors who voted for this proposal to be passed are from North Belfast.
"However I have to commend residents for the hard work and effort they are putting into their fight and hope that at the full council meeting we receive cross party support."
“We have been advised by the Planning Service that no political party has made any objection to the Planning Service on this application. The application has yet to come before a full Council meeting for a final decision by Belfast City Council.”