20-bed hostel plan approval deferred

The deferral of the application by Triangle Housing Association was requested by the Mayor, Cllr Audrey Wales when it came before last Thursday night’s meeting of Ballymena Council’s spatial planning committee.

Cllr Wales successfully sought the deferral to facilitate a meeting for objectors and was supported in her request by Cllr Beth Clyde.

The Planning Service had approved the Association’s proposed demolition of the now derelict former Ballymena Old People’s Club premises at 39 Trostan Avenue and the construction of a 20-bedroom residential building with communal/staff facilities and associated site works.

The proposal, which it is understood will provide new accommodation for Simon Community NI supported housing services which have operated at Mill House in Harryville for many years, attracted 41 letters of objection.

Alderman PJ McAvoy, however, welcomed the planners’ opinion to approve the scheme for which support was also voiced by Cllr Declan O’Loan and Alderman Maurice Mills.