Belfast·SPG003 Residential Design·Page 32·3.1.36

Reduced separation distances below 20m

Separation distances of less than 20m between buildings may be acceptable in specific cases where justified by thorough analysis of site characteristics and design features, provided there is no detrimental impact on residential amenity, privacy, or overlooking of existing properties.

In such instances, separation distances of less than 20m may be deemed appropriate. However this would be determined on a case-by-case basis and would need to be justified by a way of a thorough analysis of site characteristics such as topography, sunlight/daylight levels, orientation of buildings and design features. This should demonstrate that reduced separation distances can be achieved without any detrimental impact on residential amenity. Proposals that fail to achieve a high-quality residential environment or that are likely to result in a significant loss of privacy or overlooking, particularly of existing properties, will not be acceptable.

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