Coarse fishing facility 'could attract tourists'

The facility, which is to be located south of 40 Craiganee Road, will include an amenity building with toilets and changing rooms. The development will involve restoring an overgrown lake and creating a new pond at the site through the construction of earth embankments.

At a meeting of the public services committee at Smiley Buildings on Monday, Councillor Winston Fulton embraced the application and said it would bring something new to the area.

He added: “The applicants have worked very and spent a lot of time on this proposal. It should attract more tourists to the area and it is very welcome indeed.”

Alderman Jack McKee said the facility would “provide a tremendous boost to the area and create some gainful employment.”

Alderman Danny O’Connor also voiced his support for the project and said it was a great opportunity to “enhance tourism in the borough”.

Councillor Andy Wilson expressed some concerns about the road leading to the facility, which he said was “quite narrow”.

However, planning officer Joy Hargie said that the Roads Service had requested a number of passing bays along the road to create more space between the verges.