Concerns over Brustin Brae development dismissed

The proposed development, consisting of 19 residential dwellings, was met with a flood of objections from local residents, with some people worried about the potential for road traffic accidents at the entrance to the site. As a result, councillors had asked that the application be referred to the Planning Management Board for further consideration.

However, planners refused the request, claiming that the referral failed to meet the Management Board criteria.

In a letter to Larne council’s chief executive, planners said the application was “not considered to be a significant development” and added that a reassessment of the proposal by the Management Board was ”not considered necessary or appropriate”.

At the latest meeting of the public services committee, Councillor Winston Fulton said he was “surprised” that planners turned down the request for referral.

He added: “I am very worried about the entrance to that site. It opens up onto a steep hill and motorists pulling out cannot see traffic coming up the hill on the left hand side, while on the right hand side there is a wall that is difficult to see past.

“There is bound to be an accident at this location and I would question how planners could give permission for the development to go ahead. It is very dangerous and I am greatly concerned.”