Have your say on future of Portrush Recreation Ground

Re-development of the site will see it transformed in to a key sport and leisure facility.

To establish local community needs, extensive consultation was initially undertaken in 2017. The following year, a Business Case for improvement works was taken forward which involved wider consultation with various stakeholder groups. In 2019 elected members approved a concept design at a cost of £2.85m with associated partnership funding from Department for Communities of £1.3m.

The proposed improvement works include a new adventure play area, new bowling pavilion and public toilets, new competition bowling green and synthetic practice area, new low level urban sports area and an upgrade of public realm within the site with the inclusion of a multi-use space.

The project is anticipated to start in spring/summer 2021 and will take 12 months to complete.

Council is currently undertaking a ‘Pre-Application Community Consultation’ exercise to allow people to have their say on the proposed improvement works.

Under current government restrictions, a public meeting will not be held, however Council has put in place alternative arrangements to gather the views of interested parties.

The design team is holding two public events online on Monday, August 17 from 6pm-8pm and Wednesday, August 19 from 1pm-3pm.

Further information on the consultation process, the proposed improvement works and how to register for the online public events, can be found on the Council website at: www.causewaycoastandglens.gov.uk/council/council-consultations

For those people who don’t have online access, information boards are currently on display at Portrush Recreation Grounds and a leaflet drop has been made to notify local residents.

Anyone wishing to find out more or comment on the proposal may do so by contacting the design team at GM Design Associates Ltd by post at 22 Lodge Road,

Coleraine, BT52 1NB or by email to [email protected] or by phone on 028 703 56138.

Comments should be provided no later than September 4.

Please note that comments made about the proposal during this consultation period are not representations to the Planning Authority. If the prospective applicant proceeds with an application there will be an opportunity to make representations on that application to the Planning Authority at a later stage.

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