Comber, Ards Planning Applications
Recent planning applications near Comber, Ards.
Ards · Northern Ireland · settlement
About Comber
Comber is a vibrant town located in County Down, Northern Ireland, just 5 miles south of Newtownards and at the northern tip of Strangford Lough. Part of the Ards and North Down Borough, it boasts a rich history, including its connection to Comber Whiskey, last distilled in 1953, and notable figures like Thomas Andrews, the RMS Titanic's designer. With a population of 9,512 as of the 2021 Census, Comber presents a dynamic setting for planning applications and development opportunities.
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Town Insights
Property Prices
Area Information
- Admin district: Ards and North Down
- Parliamentary constituency: Strangford
- LSOA: Comber_D
Crime Statistics
0 crimes reported in 2026-02.
Flood Risk
No active flood warnings near Comber.
Keyword Scorecard
Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications near Comber.
- Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
- Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
- Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
- Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
- Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
- Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
- Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
- Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)
Planning Activity Summary
Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Comber based on the last 24 months of planning data.
Nearby Applications
13 planning applications found near Comber.
- - Comber Pharmacy, 4 The Square, Comber, BT23 5DT
2 Digital signs
Status: Undecided | Type: Advertising | Council: Ards and North Down | Date: 2026-04-23
View full details - - Lands to the rear of Nos. 23-61 Castle Street, Comber, BT23 5EA
Non material change to approved scheme to incorporate site specific amendments, including; - Minor updates to position and size of specific openings (windows & doors) within houses and apartments - Mi
Status: Undecided | Type: Amendment | Council: Ards and North Down | Date: 2026-03-31
View full details - - 20 Bridge Street Link, Comber, BT23 5YH
1x illuminated Shop sign
Status: Permitted | Type: Advertising | Council: Ards and North Down | Date: 2026-03-11
View full details - - 61 Castle Street, Comber, Newtownards, BT23 5DY
1 Shop sign with trough light and 1 digital screen
Status: Undecided | Type: Advertising | Council: Ards and North Down | Date: 2026-02-10
View full details - - Lands to the rear of Nos. 23-61 Castle Street, Comber, BT23 5EA
Discharge Condition 5 of LA06/2021/1220/F, which states: "A programme of post-excavation analysis, preparation of an archaeological report, dissemination of results and preparation of the excavation a
Status: Conditions | Type: Conditions | Council: Ards and North Down | Date: 2026-01-29
View full details - - 25 Bridge Street, Comber, BT23 5AT
Material change of use from photographic studio to residential dwelling including single storey extension to the rear
Status: Undecided | Type: Full | Council: Ards and North Down | Date: 2026-01-28
View full details - - 11b The Square, Comber, BT23 5DX
Two-storey extension to front (replacing utility room), alterations to finishes and windows,
Status: Permitted | Type: Full | Council: Ards and North Down | Date: 2025-12-22
View full details - - 3a Killinchy Road, Comber, BT23 5SW
Double garage (in side garden)
Status: Permitted | Type: Full | Council: Ards and North Down | Date: 2025-08-31
View full details - - 3a Killinchy Road, Comber, BT23 5SW
Single-storey rear extension
Status: Permitted | Type: Full | Council: Ards and North Down | Date: 2025-08-31
View full details - - Comber Methodist Church, 28 Bridge Street, Comber, BT23 5AT
Front and side extension (Amended Plans)
Status: Permitted | Type: Full | Council: Ards and North Down | Date: 2025-07-11
View full details - - R A Glass Associates 20 Bridge Street, Comber, Newtownards, BT23 5AT
1 Projecting sign, 2 shop sign
Status: Permitted | Type: Advertising | Council: Ards and North Down | Date: 2025-07-10
View full details - - Comber Rec Football Club Park Way, Comber, BT23 5FX
8no. LED floodlights on 8no. 15000mm high lamp posts
Status: Permitted | Type: Full | Council: Ards and North Down | Date: 2025-05-16
View full details - - No. 2 The Square, Comber, Newtownards, BT23 5DX.
Frosted Vinyl wrap applied to groundfloor window and 2 ventilation louvers, replacing existing. (amended proposal)
Status: Permitted | Type: Full | Council: Ards and North Down | Date: 2024-09-04
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A brief summary of Comber in Ards
Comber is a vibrant town located in County Down, Northern Ireland, just 5 miles south of Newtownards and at the northern tip of Strangford Lough. Part of the Ards and North Down Borough, it boasts a rich history, including its connection to Comber Whiskey, last distilled in 1953, and notable figures like Thomas Andrews, the RMS Titanic's designer. With a population of 9,512 as of the 2021 Census, Comber presents a dynamic setting for planning applications and development opportunities.
There were no crimes reported in the immediate area during the most recent reporting period. This makes Comber a particularly low-crime area.
For anyone interested in property development or monitoring local planning decisions, Comber planning applications can be searched by entering a local postcode above. Results include full application details, decision status, and the ability to track applications over time and set planning alerts to help you monitor and review pending planning applications.
Planning Activity in Comber
In the last 24 months, 28 planning applications were submitted near Comber. Of these, 100% were approved, with an average decision time of 71 days.
This is notably above the national average of approximately 87%, suggesting a relatively permissive planning environment. Applicants near Comber may find that well-prepared applications have a strong chance of success.
The average decision period of 71 days exceeds the 8-week target for minor applications but falls within the 13-week target for major schemes. Applicants should plan for approximately 11 weeks from submission to decision.
The most common application types near Comber were full planning applications (14), discharge of conditions (6), advertising consent (4). Full planning applications account for 50% of all submissions, covering new builds, change of use, and works that go beyond permitted development rights.
In terms of development scale, 1 medium-scale application, 27 smaller schemes were submitted.
Nearby Towns
Explore planning applications in nearby areas:
- Ballygowan planning applications
- Newtownards planning applications
- Ballydrain planning applications
- Dundonald planning applications
- Moneyreagh planning applications
- Conlig planning applications
- Drumhirk planning applications
- Gilnahirk planning applications
Related Planning Guides
- What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
- What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
- How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.