Last orders for '17-year-old' pub sign at Ballyvoy?

Moyle Council has heard planners are currently of the opinion to refuse permission for the sign even though the applicant told planners the sign has been in place for 17 years.

The sign is opposite the junction of the Ballynagard and Cushendall Road at Ballyvoy and it advertises Hunter's Bar.

Planners say the sign needs planning permission which they are currently of the opinion to refuse that saying it would harm the visual amenity of the rural area because of its 'obstrusive and over dominant nature'.

When the matter came up for discussion at a meeting between Moyle Council land planners, Vice-Chairperson Robert McIlroy (DUP), asked why it had taken 17 years to say the sign cannot be in place.

Planning official Julie McMath said the 17 years talked about was information provided by the applicant.

She said the only adverts likely to be acceptable are those on the site of the pub and she said an advert a distance away from the bar does not comply.

Cllr Randal McDonnell (Independent) said if it had taken 17 years for the sign to "annoy" somebody he wondered if there could be immunity from action as it has been in place for ten or more years.

SDLP councillor Catherine McCambridge said there is a perception amongst the public that planning staff are out actively seeking inappropriate signage.

Ms McMath said she could not speak for the Enforcement Section of the Planning Service but she very much doubted that would be the case.

Cllr McCambridge said it is necessary to give motorists an early notice of an approaching bar so they can decide if they wish to stop or not.

Cllr Paudie McShane (Sinn Fein) said there seems to be a clampdown on signage.

He said planners appeared to be going for the "jugular" in relation to getting people paying for planning applications for signs even though businesses are already suffering in the economic downturn.

Independent councillor Seamus Blaney said he recently had to travel from Ballycastle to Lisburn and he counted 67 signs similar to the Ballyvoy situation.

He asked why planners would "pick on one" at Ballyvoy and said it was a case of "one rule for one and one rule for another".

Consideration of the application at Ballyvoy was deferred for a month.