Council contacts Minister over Northern Regional College concerns

BALLYMONEY Council has agreed to write to Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey regarding the future of the Ballymoney campus of the Northern Regional College.

Under proposals which were announced earlier this year the Ballymoney campus could be closed and services centralised in Coleraine where there is a plan to build a new college in the Wattstown area on the Ballymoney side of the town.

2014-16 has been earmarked for the closure of the Ballymoney facility, as part of the proposals.

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There has been much concern in Ballymoney over the developments and the matter has again been discussed by Ballymoney Council.

The Council has agreed to write to Sir Reg and DUP councillor Mervyn Storey said he has asked to meet Sir Reg on the issue in early October.

Cllr Storey said the Northern Regional College proposals are a “huge issue” in Ballymoney where he said the college has been “invaluable”.

He said many people are affected by the proposals especially those in rural areas even as far as Ballycastle.

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Cllr John Finlay (DUP) said: “It is essential we don’t lose what is already in Ballymoney.”

Ulster Unionist councillor James Simpson said it is “absolutely essential” there will be no rundown of services ahead of 2014-16 if the proposals get the go-ahead.