Yesterday evening (5 August), the Planning Committee for Ards and North Down Council met to determine the application to develop five houses in Tullynagardy Wood, Newtownards. The proposal would see five homes built in the Crawfordsburn Road area, where the woodland is located. Despite recommendations from planning officers to approve the proposals, Councillors across the board voted to refuse planning permission.

Speaking after the debate, local Alliance MLA Mr Mathison said: "I am delighted the Planning Committee voted last night to protect the local environment. To have approved the development of this woodland site would have been the wrong decision, especially for a Council that, not so long ago, declared a climate emergency.

"I have campaigned for years with local residents to protect this woodland site, and I hope when this comes back to the Planning Committee for a final ratification next month, that the site’s protection is confirmed beyond doubt."

Newtownards Cllr Moore added: "The right decision was taken by the Committee yesterday. To have seen nearly 40 per cent of this site developed for the sake of five houses would have been unacceptable. 

“The residents who have opposed the development of this woodland for over 20 years deserve great credit for keeping up the fight to protect our environment and preserve a biodiverse habitat for so long.”