Councillors back planners on Bath Terrace application

Speaking at last Tuesday’s Planning Committee meeting, the SDLP alderman spoke out over an application for retrospective planning permission for six apartments at Bath Terrace in Portrush.

Having viewed the apartments prior to the meeting, alderman Hickey agreed with the planners decision to refuse the application.

Independent Portrush councillor Christine Alexander spoke about the impact on the adjacent property: “A side window has been completely blocked - this is completely unforgivable.

“What has been built far exceeds what has been approved.”

The application for six apartments appeared on the agenda as a refusal on six grounds - it fails to provide a quality residential development; it harms the living conditions of residents in adjoining properties; it fails to provide a quality residential environment by reason of inadequate size; it adversely affects the setting of a listed building; the applicant has failed to provide adequate access arrangements and the drawings do not correspond with what has been constructed.

As the debate went on about the application, councillor Adrian McQuillan asked for an office meeting on behalf of the applicant.

An amendment to support the planners’ decision was put forward by councillor Alexander and was carried by nine votes to three