High Trees, DonaghadeeHave Your Say
We're sharing our proposals for around 135 new homes at the next phase of the High Trees development. We'd love to hear your views before we submit our planning application.
We want to hear from you
Strand Homes is sharing its initial proposals with the local community and interested parties ahead of submitting a full planning application to Ards and North Down Borough Council.
This consultation is an opportunity to gather feedback at an early stage, so that local views can help inform and shape the development of the scheme. Your input matters to us.
What Happens Next
We are currently in a period of Pre-Application Community Consultation (PACC). All feedback will be reviewed by our project team and used to refine the proposals where appropriate. A PACC Report will then be prepared, summarising the feedback received, our responses, and any changes made. This report will be submitted alongside the full planning application.
About Strand Homes
Strand Homes is a Belfast-based residential developer, established in 2016, with a strong track record in delivering high-quality housing across Northern Ireland.
We create well-designed homes that combine sustainability, quality craftsmanship, and a strong sense of community. Our developments range from two-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom detached houses, supporting buyers at different stages of the housing journey.
A Strand Home provides the framework: renewable energy, efficient design and reduced environmental impact. What you bring to it completes the picture.
2026 to 2030
Sustainability at Our Core
Each home includes a solar package as standard: 6 PV panels, a 5kW battery, and an electric car charger. Homes are connected to an app that monitors energy production and usage, enabling homeowners to manage their consumption more effectively. As members of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, we are committed to protecting and promoting pollinators across our developments.
- Founded in 2016, delivering quality homes across Northern Ireland
- 6 PV solar panels and 5kW battery storage as standard in every home
- Electric vehicle charger fitted as standard in every property
- Energy monitoring app connected to each home
- Members of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan
- "Love where you live" community-first philosophy with resident events
- Established connection with Donaghadee, supporting local schools, sports clubs and charities
"Sustainability is central to our approach. Our homes are designed to help reduce energy use, lower costs, and support more comfortable living."
Love where you live
Strand Homes has an established connection with Donaghadee, supporting local schools, sports clubs, charities and community groups through sponsorship, educational workshops and annual contributions. We also promote and support local businesses, helping new residents connect with and contribute to the town.
Our ethos is not just about the individual home. It is about creating a more community feel. We have held several funded "Meet the Neighbour" events across our developments, complete with children's entertainment and refreshments from local suppliers. We have also installed a defibrillator on-site at High Trees, registered with the Circuit network and available to the wider community.
Site Context
High Trees is a well-established and popular residential development within the settlement boundary of Donaghadee.
This next phase, known as 'Lands 5', will cover almost 15 hectares and deliver around 135 new homes for the area. The site is located east of the existing High Trees development, between Newtownards Road and Cannyreagh Road.
The site offers something a bit different. The design has been shaped around the existing mature trees that give the area its character. Open space is a key focus for this phase, including Scott's Hill and strong connections to Crommelin Wood and the surrounding landscape.
Area Plan & Policy Context
These unique landscape and open space features, are central to the scheme. They are integrated into the development through new public pathways, linking Crommelin Wood to the top of Scott's Hill and opening up access to some great views for the local community.
Site Location Map & Red-Line Boundary — click to enlarge
Site Proposals
Proposed residential development comprising approximately 135 dwellings, with a mix of house types, public amenity space, landscaping and associated site works.
Access is proposed via the existing right-turn lane from Newtownards Road into the High Trees development. The design proposals focus on the existing open spaces, retaining the tree-lined frontage along Newtownards Road.
From here, a green corridor extends south, linking to the river corridor and continuing east towards Crommelin Wood, before connecting further south to the Scott's Hill viewpoint.
Site Layout Plan — click to enlarge
Green Corridors
A connected green network runs through the site, with public pathways linking Crommelin Wood and Scott's Hill, opening up new access for everyone in the community.
Mature Trees Retained
The tree-lined frontage along Newtownards Road will be retained, and the existing mature trees that define the area's character have shaped the design from the outset.
Low-Density Layout
The scheme is a thoughtfully designed, low-density development within the settlement boundary, with open space and recreation at its core.
What
it will
look
like
The mix of house types reflects the high-quality design and finish already established in the High Trees development, while also introducing some new, bespoke options for this phase. This includes a new bungalow type, designed to respond to local demand.
Overall, the scheme is a thoughtfully designed, low-density development within the settlement boundary, with open space and recreation at its core.
*All house types are indicative at this stage.
Benefitting the Community
The proposed development is expected to bring a wide range of benefits for Donaghadee and the wider Ards and North Down area, from new homes for local families to sustained investment in the local economy.
- Around 135 new high-quality homes in a sought-after area
- 40 to 50 construction jobs on site for 4 to 5 years
- Approximately £30 million invested in the local economy
- New public green spaces and pathways open to the whole community
- Improved access to Crommelin Wood and Scott's Hill viewpoint
- Continued Strand Homes community investment including events, sponsorship, and local business support
Connectivity
High Trees, Donaghadee is designed with connected, active living at its heart. A 5K pedestrian and cycle route loops through the development and surrounding green spaces, linking residents to Crommelin Wood, Scott's Hill, and the wider landscape.
The masterplan integrates open spaces that are overlooked by focal dwellings, ensuring natural surveillance and a strong sense of community. Greenway connections, woodland walking and community engagement areas all sit alongside sport pitches, a play park and footbridge connections over the stream.
- 5K running and cycle route through the development and green spaces
- Connectivity through greenways linking the wider landscape
- Footbridge connections over the stream
- Play park and sport facilities accessible along the pathway
- Woodland walking through Crommelin Wood
- Areas for community engagement and food growing
- Open spaces overlooked by focal dwellings
- Supporting local ecosystems and biodiversity
Connectivity Plan — click to enlarge
Have Your Say
We want to make sure local voices are heard before we proceed to a planning application. Share your views on these initial proposals using the online feedback form, or request a hard copy from our team.
17-25 College Square East
Belfast BT1 6DH
9am to 5pm
Comments made during this consultation will be reviewed by the project team and are not formal representations to Ards and North Down Borough Council. There will be a separate opportunity to make formal representations once a planning application has been submitted.