How To ObjectOn this page are recent photographs January 2026 and videos of flooding in the immediate area of the proposed planning application for a boutique hotel, restaurant, spa and leisure facility. (Planning Application LA05/2022/0946/O). This level of flooding occurs regularly with heavy rain in the area we have videos of similar inundations since November 2023.
The hotel development is proposed on this significant Lagan flood plain. Planning policy only permits building on a flood plain where it is of regional or sub-regional importance. There is no indication that the proposed development is of regional or sub-regional importance.
Adding foundations for buildings, creating hard surfaces for paths, roadways, parking, and sinking septic tanks and other storage tanks to deal with pool water will significantly impact the water table and result in further flooding.
The proposed development would involve substantial ground disturbance, including:
- Deep foundations for buildings
- Extensive hard surfacing for paths, access roads and parking
- Installation of septic tanks and additional storage infrastructure associated with pool and leisure facilities
These interventions would significantly alter the natural water table and disrupt existing drainage patterns. The replacement of permeable land with hard surfaces would reduce natural water absorption and increase surface runoff, leading to an elevated risk of flooding both on site and in surrounding areas.
Given the already evident flooding issues, further intensification of land use would clearly exacerbate these problems.
We object strongly to this proposed development as we believe it will harm the local environment and biodiversity, the River Lagan, Belfast Lough and the internationally important Ramsar Site downstream.