Northern Ireland

Anger at Co Tyrone wall that looks like it was 'inspired by Donald Trump'

One of the walls constructed at the site of Reid Engineering's workshop outside Cookstown
One of the walls constructed at the site of Reid Engineering's workshop outside Cookstown One of the walls constructed at the site of Reid Engineering's workshop outside Cookstown

COUNCIL planners have launched a probe over a Co Tyrone firm's concrete wall which angered residents say looks like it was inspired by Donald Trump.

The towering structure has been built around Reid Engineering's workshop in a rural area outside Cookstown.

It is the latest twist in a bitter planning dispute that has spanned seven years.

Permission was granted in 2010 for an extended workshop, but it was built more a third larger than agreed and double what it replaced – and allegedly encroached on a neighbour's garden.

The site at Knockanroe Road has been the subject of numerous planning probes, and last year an enforcement notice was issued.

However, an application for retrospective permission was approved by Mid Ulster council's planning committee in June.

Planning officials had recommended the building for approval despite previously rejecting it.

They said the building is not significantly larger than what was approved in 2010, and mitigation measures would improve issues such as noise.

As part of the planning approval, conditions included requiring the applicant to build some boundary walls aimed at reducing the impact on neighbouring residents.

But residents say the walls make the area feel like a "prison yard", and claim one border wall is more than six feet larger than proposed.

US president Donald Trump
US president Donald Trump US president Donald Trump

Carla Fowley said her family was shocked to see its scale on returning home from their holidays.

"I'm not sure if the planning department of Mid Ulster council has been taking inspiration from Donald Trump but a wall constructed by Reid Engineering as part of their recent contentious planning approval is ludicrous," she said.

"In an effort to remedy one problem the planners have created so many more. The walls are giving the effect of a prison yard."

Among US president Donald Trump election pledges was to build a border wall between the US and Mexico.

Ms Fowley said: "They were given approval for a three-metre wall. What they have built is just shy of a five-metre wall behind our hedge. We were just shocked by it. We couldn't believe it was there."

Mid Ulster District Council said planning officials are "actively investigating".

A spokeswoman said: "Following receipt of complaint the councils' planning department are actively investigating enforcement case LA09/2017/0129/CA in respect of an 'unauthorised wall not in accordance with approved details'. Consideration of the case is ongoing."

Reid Engineering, which specialises in steel products, did not respond to requests for a comment.

In relation to previous planning bids supporters have defended the business, saying it is important to the local economy.