'Appalling' decision over log cabin says councillor Alexander

At last Tuesday’s meeting of Coleraine Borough Council’s Planning committee, members were told that there had been an office meeting to discuss the dwelling at Movanagher Road in Kilrea.

They were also told that there had been an enforcement notice served on the owner of the cabin.

Cllr Alexander said: “I am absolutely lost for words.

“The appeal was dealt with appallingly by the Planning Appeals Commission,” she referring to a hearing which she had attended along with MLAs Adrian McQuillan and John Dallat.

“For them to say that this does not represent genuine hardship is ridiculous.

“This woman had to pay her life savings for the log cabin which cost 40,000 and pay for the appeal and for the application.

“The Planners were falling over themselves to serve the enforcement action against the log cabin - I’m surprised they even found it!”

Cllr Alexander also criticised the PAC for not allowing a Planning consultant to make his presentation on the case.

”How can we go about complaining about the PAC?” she asked.

“I just can’t believe this was refused when you see the monstrosities built around the Borough and compare them to a log cabin hidden among trees.”

The majority of councillors voted against the Planners’ refusal of the application.