Concern over too many apartments

During a recent Planning Committee meeting, Cllr Ian Stevenson questioned the news that the development and associated car parking and amenity space had been finally passed.

He asked: “Did Road Service say these plans had adequate car parking space? It’s just that people who live near there are not happy. It seems that a lot of garden grabbing is going on in Queen Street and it’s changing the character of the area.

“I feel there is a massive amount of cramming taking place with more and more apartments being built. In a way we are to blame as despite us not being happy with the application we immediately referred it for an office meeting when planners refused it.”

Cllr James Simpson also questioned planners: “There is a historical house on that site, is that going to be demolished to facilitate this dwelling? Has the Environmental Heritage Service been notified?”

In response the Planner explained that Roads Service was ‘happy with the car park layout’ adding: “The building is to be demolished and the department has considered this and seen it as acceptable. The Environmental Heritage has not been notified as this is not a listed building.”

Cllr Evelyne Robinson concluded: “I am a little concerned about the number of apartments and unoccupied buildings in the Ballymoney area.

“Do planners have any idea of the actual number?

“I also agree that council should take on board what Cllr Stevenson has said. If we have concerns with an application then we shouldn’t send it back for an office meeting.”

The planner explained that the Planning Service ‘does not have figures for occupancy’, however he could get the figures for the number of apartments that have been passed but not yet built.

Four objections and one letter of support was received regarding the application.