Agri-engineering plan is approved

At last Thursday night’s Public Sector Liaison Committee meeting, the application for the development on lands adjacent to 37 Carnearney Road was approved. The development includes office, research and development facilities, as well as parking, an access road. There is also an external prototype testing area.

Deputy Mayor PJ McAvoy, who was standing in for the absent chair, thanked planners for the decision, he said: "On behalf of myself and Councillor O'Loan, I welcome this decision and would like to thank planners as it was very good of them.

"I hope future applications might be looked at in this way."

Councillor Tommy Nicholl said: "I have been involved with the developer, who is delighted that this is coming into fruition.

"It is good news for the area, as 14 jobs will be created here and it will benefit the local economy."

Former Mayor of Ballymena, Alderman Maurice Mills voiced his approval at the decision.

However Alderman Roy Gillespie asked planners how this type of development can get the go ahead out in the countryside, he asked: "Could this be a precedent?"

Senior Planning Officer Denise Kerr informed the meeting that there was justification for the approval, she said: "The applicant came to us before hand with the pre-application and we highlighted to him that a proposal like this would normally be restricted.

"He did provide a detailed and thorough case he also had support from various sources. His business case provided strong justification for the approval of a building of this nature in the countryside.

"The proposal did meet our criteria for this type of development."