Location found for new village Play area

During a recent Leisure and Amenities Committee meeting, members heard that an agreement has been reached with the Cloughmills Action Team that the most appropriate site is to move the facility from Strand Park to the Councils Old Mill Site. The report explained: ‘Further to earlier discussion as to the most appropriate location for the provision by Council of a Play Area, agreement has now been reached with the Cloughmills Action Team that the most appropriate site, given all the factors that ought to be considered, is to move the facility from its present Strand Park location to the Councils Old Mill Site, with the new facility forming part of a comprehensive plan to regenerate this land which Council has owned for some considerable time.

‘Initially it is envisaged that the new play park will be provided seeking assistance from RDP in conjunction with the first phase of a long held Council ambition to provide a riverside walk within the bounds of the land it acquired.

‘The first phase of the envisaged bio-diverse riverside walk would link the Ballycregagh Road to the proposed play area location and then continue to just beyond the old mill buildings.

‘It is recommended that Council approve this proposal and sanction the pursuit of the necessary planning and funding applications.’

Cllr John Finlay welcomed the news contained in the Director’s report and thanked him for all his work on the matter.

Cllr Cathal McLaughlin supported the view that the Old Mill Site would be the preferred location for such a facility and raised the issue of what ought to be done with the Council’s Strand Park land.

The Director made a number of suggestions for this land which Council could further explore with the local community.

It was proposed by Cllr Finlay, seconded by Cllr McLaughlin that Council approve this proposal and sanction the pursuit of the necessary planning and funding applications.