Carrickfergus social housing plans approved

The application was given the go-ahead at a meeting on Thursday morning.

The new properties are planned for the rear of McKeen’s Avenue by Habintag Housing.

Planners received no objection to the application from residents and one letter of support.

However, NI Water recommended refusal stating that waste water treatment capacity is not available.

The council’s principal planning officer Gary McGuinness indicated that NI Water is now seeking the refusal of applications on the same grounds which he described as “unacceptable”.

He explained this response is not just specific to this application and is a “common response from NI Water when there is a disposal issue”.

He described this refusal as of “no benefit to any party” and will “constitute a moratorium on development in Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena”.

Bannside DUP Councillor Tom Gordon stated: “NI Water do not have any remit for planning. We are the planning authority supported by officers. We will make the planning decisions.”

In response to a query by Larne Lough DUP Alderman Paul Reid, Mr McGuinness went on to say that  car parking is “more than adequate” at the development site with at least three spaces allocated per dwelling.

Ald Reid described the recommendation by NI Water as “very strange” adding that in the years he has served on the committee, he has “never heard” from NI Water.

“To turn round and say you can’t grant this is not within their remit,” he added.

Roy Mooney, of NI Water, told the meeting: “NI Water made the recommendation that we would consider there are issues with this development and have made a recommendation for refusal.”

However, he acknowledged that ultimately the decision for approval or to reject the plan rests with the council.

“We are not saying it has to be a refusal. We are trying to encourage developers to engage with ourselves in advance to determine how they can get connected. There are capacity issues right across the borough, in Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena. It is not the intention of NI Water to stop development.

“It is important to point out we are not here to stop development. We are here to work with the developer. We certainly do not want to be at loggerheads with yourselves in council.”

Knockagh Independent Cllr Bobby Hadden commented: “There is a real need for this type of development.”

Coast Road Sinn Fein Cllr James McKeown said: “If we do grant approval, the developer has five years to come up with some sort of solution with regard to water.”

Mr McGuinness stated there has been an issue with sewerage in Northern Ireland for a number of years, which he said, is a matter for the Executive not the council and not the applicant.

He went on to say that with regard to the five-year period, it is “just a timeframe”.

“If they do not fulfil it within five years, it will not go ahead.”

The application was subsequently approved unanimously.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter

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