HOTEL HOPES

Several councillors and those interested in town centre regeneration believe a new hotel on the site of the former Cooleen guesthouse is a must for Ballymoney.

But planners have already expressed a refusal opinion that they are against the scheme because of issues over the amount of car-parking.

The matter was raised by a delegation from Ballymoney which travelled to Stormont to meet with Minister Poots and as a result he said he will personally travel to the Coleraine Road in Ballymoney to look at the matter.

Liz Johnston of Ballymoney Council told the Times: "Mr Poots volunteered to come down and see the situation for himself. We provided him with a copy of a study which was prepared to support the need for another hotel in Ballymoney.

"Mr Poots has some hands-on experience of looking for a hotel in his own Council area of Lisburn.

"I think it is fair to say he was impressed with the study and we understand he is keen to do what he can to assist," said Mrs Johnston.

The Council officer said planners have an issue with what the perceive is the number of carparking spaces needed for a hotel.

But Mrs Johnston said backers of the hotel project think the number of spaces planners talk about is too high.

DUP councillor John Finlay was also part of the recent Stormont trip.

He said: "Planning Service have refused to accept a development proposal for much-needed additional hotel provision close to the town centre, due to what we regard as totally unacceptable car parking requirements by Roads Service.

"This has caused us much concern and frustration given that we commissioned an independent hotel study proving the need for hotel provision."

The plans are for a 20-bedroom boutique hotel and a refusal reason given by the Planning Service was that 'the proposed development would, if permitted, prejudice the safety and convenience of road users since provision cannot be made clear of the highway for the parking, turning, loading and unloading of vehicles which would be attracted to the site/premises".