Causeway Street apartments row

Planners refused a retrospective application from P Gordon of Maghera for alteration to the layout of three apartments at 88 Causeway Street in Portrush.

There was one letter of objection to the Planners’ refusal and Cllr Sam Cole asked for an office meeting to discuss the matter further.

However, Portrush councillor Christine Alexander (pictured), said : “I don’t see what benefit an office meeting would have.

“The developer was given a refusal and went ahead and built anyway. I propose that we support the Planners’ refusal.”

Cllr Maurice Bradley - a DUP colleague of councillor Cole’s, said it was “unbelievable” that councillors would seek an office meeting.

“I don’t think that Coleraine Council can back a developer who flouts Planning law.”

Cllr Sandy Gilkinson said that he had sympathies for the local residents, that there were “discrepancies here” and that an office meeting was the only way to “get it sorted out once and for all”.

Mayor of Coleraine and Portrush councillor, Norman Hillis, said that it seemed “blatant” that the developer had ignored the Planners’ instructions.

“I am concerned that we will end up with more than what was refused some time ago,” said the Mayor.

Cllr Roisin Loftus said that an office meeting was the only way to hear both sides of the story..

A vote was taken and an office meeting will now be held.