Loughshore Park plans unveiled

Artists' impressions of a new building at the popular park went on show at Newtownabbey council's headquarters on Monday night as members of its Development Committee agreed to submit a planning application for the redevelopment. Details of proposed of new works of public art, set to be installed at the Loughshore, also emerged at the meeting.

According to a report tabled to members of the committee, a large gateway sculpture could be put in place at the Whiteabbey end of the park. The gateway is to signify the start of the Tourist Board 'Causeway Coastal Route' Signature Project - a scheme, the report states, to develop the Antrim and Causeway Coast as a world class visitor attraction.

Three smaller artworks are to be placed along the shoreline between Jordanstown and Hazelbank. Their designs are expected to be based on the local history, environment and community of Whiteabbey and Jordanstown.

The project, which is being funded by the council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, also includes improvements to the caravan park and the construction of a new 'wave-shape' bandstand, and is expected to be finished by March 2011.

Newtownabbey's Mayor, John Scott, told the Times: "The park has needed a facelift for some time and the new facilities will be state-of-the-art and will hopefully bring more tourists to the borough as they make their way along the coastal route."