Author: Michael Worthington

Pragma undertakes due diligence and provides strategic advice in respect to the agreement between Fraser Homes Limited and Gardrum Holdings Ltd, which will see the delivery of up to 1000 homes over the next 10 years. The houses are likely range between £120,000 and £400,000 at current market values. Commenting on the matter David Fraser of Fraser Homes, said: “For over 50 years we have built over 4,500 high quality homes across Northern Ireland and we are pleased and proud that our tradition and family heritage in house building will continue under this new agreement.  We are also pleased to be joining another Northern Ireland family company with similar values and the same commitment to excellence as we have always had.  This augurs well for the new generation of homes we will be…

Pragma is appointed to act on behalf of private interests in respect to the production of a masterplan for major mixed use redevelopment of lands south of Coleraine. It is anticipated that the sites will include a range of uses which are as yet undetermined due to the preliminary nature of the proposals.

An article on Belfast City Council's website has indicated that Belfast City Council has agreed further work plans on the Belfast Region City Deal at its monthly meeting on Monday, 2nd July. City Deals are bespoke packages of funding for large projects to boost the economy and create better jobs, but that require funding from Westminster, the Department of Finance as well as Local Authorities.  The Belfast Region City Deal offers a once in a generation opportunity for the six local authority areas involved. Belfast City Council is working in close collaboration with the five local authority partners - Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ards and North Down, Lisburn and Castlereagh, Mid and East Antrim and Newry, Mourne and Down as well as the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Ministry for Housing, Communities…

Pragma director, David Worthington MRTPI, acted as Expert Witness in the recently successful judicial review of a decision of Belfast City Council to grant planning permission for a multi-storey office block.  The challenge was brought by one of the residents of a city centre residential area and sought to challenge the decision on a number of grounds including planning matters. Engaged by O'Muirigh Solicitors, Pragma provided a series of reports and other expert witness evidence in relation to the complex planning aspects of the case, specifically in relation to the development plan, its status and policy content.  Reports also included evidence in respect to the handling of the case by the Council and the weight attributed to certain planning matters.

Working closely with the developer - Deramore Developments - Pragma negotiated an amended planning consent on the site for this development of 4 bedroom detached dwellings in Carryduff. The development is now complete and all dwellings sold by Templeton Robinson.

Site visit to a potential site for a client tied up with pre-planning meeting with Galway County Council.  Few tweaks to be made to the layout and we're ready to submit.

Pragma worked closely with Fraser Homes to achieve planning permission for this contemporary collection of spacious four bedroom detached homes in East Belfast.  Brought in at the end of a lengthy planning process, Pragma successfully negotiated a solution with the planning authority and planning permission was granted within a few months of our involvement.

Our client Deramore Developments purchased the former Public Records Office (PRONI) on Balmoral Avenue in 2013 with a view to develop new exclusive family homes. The site extends to over 2 acres and had an outline planning consent.  Pragma made a planning application on Deramore's behalf for 16 new detached and semi-detached houses, along with the restoration and extension of the two existing houses already on the site.  These houses were two of the oldest properties on Balmoral Avenue and were sympathetically restored and extended through negotiation with the heritage bodies in Northern Ireland.  Construction of the new homes commenced on July 2014 with the first phase being handed over to home owners in March 2015.  The construction of the final new build houses were completed and sold by end…

Pragma worked closely with Deramore Developments to achieve planning permission for 10 individually designed dwellings on the former Guide Dogs site off Sandown Road in East Belfast.  The planning process lasted approximately 6 months and included strategic advice to the client prior to purchase and negotiating with the local planning authority.