Campaign launched to save Larne’s Jubilee crown

Temporary planning permission for the Crown expires on December 1, and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is preparing to submit a planning application for the structure to become a permanent display.

This application will be considered by the Planning Committee, while the council’s Equality Working Group will consider the equality impact assessment as a separate matter.

While the Equality Working Group has no decision-making powers, it will send its recommendations to the Policy & Resources Committee of MEA.

Despite the UUP and DUP defending the crown as a “tourist attraction” and “landmark,” Sinn Fein MLA Oliver McMullan said it showed “no consideration of the Nationalist population in Larne and the impact on it.”

Last week, Larne resident Daniel Crawford set up the “Like to save Larne’s crown” community Facebook page, which has attracted nearly 1,000 likes.

“I felt I had to stop the crown being stripped away,” said Daniel.

“We are also trying to push for the roundabout to be called the Jubilee roundabout with a sign explaining why it is there.

“The crown is there to commemorate the Queen’s jubilee, it’s a historic anniversary.

“It is good for tourism, people come to see it and get their photo taken.

“They bring in business which is good for Larne,” he stated.

At a council meeting on Monday, Alderman Gregg McKeen proposed to move forward and seek planning permission, which was seconded by Councillor John Carson.