People against 'absolute monstrosity' says councillor

BALLYCASTLE councillor Cathal Newcombe says people in the town including parishioners at the Holy Trinity Church in the Diamond are opposed to plans for a building at the side of the church which he says would be an "absolute monstrosity".

Planners are of the opinion to refuse a scheme at one of Ballycastle’s best known buildings.

The iconic Holy Trinity Church at the Diamond often features in photos of the town and plans have been lodged to replace the existing vestry to the side of the church and refurbish an existing ancillary building.

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There would be a new building to infill between the church and the ancillary building and the development would provide a main hall, kitchen, meeting rooms, creche, vestry to serve the church and additional parking would be created.

But planners say if permitted the development would adversely affect the setting of the ‘listed’ building.

There were 16 letters of objection and when the plans first emerged opponents said the planned hall would totally alter the view down Castle Street into the Diamond.

Planning officer Julie McMath said the objections related to inappropriate height and scale and mentioned the “detrimental” impact of the plans on the church and views of the church.

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Ms McMath said that since the original application was sent to the Council the agent for the applicants had put in amended plans and she agreed to defer consideration of the application to consider the new plans and to give all interested parties an opportunity to respond.

Cllr Helen Harding said the applicants wanted an office meeting.

Cllr Newcombe said he was asked by parishioners to point out that the planned building would be an “absolute monstrosity” and he said there are many opponents to the scheme.

“There is no one who would put their name to that building,” claimed Cllr Newcombe.

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