Ballymena: planning approval for new £25m leisure centre at 'highly accessible location for all members of the community'
Planning permission was granted for a new £25m leisure and well-being centre in Ballymena at a meeting of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Planning Committee.
The committee, which met at The Braid, in Ballymena, on Thursday morning (January 15), was told that the proposed location at the former St Patrick’s Barracks site at Demesne Avenue is 400 metres from the existing leisure centre.
Acting principal planning officer Keith Irwin said the planned new building to be developed by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council would have 8,000 square metres floor space and would be three-storeys in some places.
Facilities would include a four-court sports hall, changing facilities, children’s soft play area, ‘Clip and Climb’, eight-lane swimming pool, learner pool and aqua play area; spa facility, fitness suite with treadmills, rowing machines, weights etc, spin studio with 30 bikes; community hub, café, toilets and outdoor work-out space, 228 parking spaces and bus drop-off area.
Vehicular and pedestrian access will be provided at Demesne Avenue. A covered walk-way is proposed leading towards the main entrance of the building. A second entrance is proposed to encourage pedestrians from the Ecos Hub and St Patrick’s Link.
A report to the local government authority committee said the proposed development will replace the existing Seven Towers Leisure Centre to provide a “new state-of-the-art leisure, health and well-being centre in Ballymena”.
The earmarked site is described as a “highly accessible location for all members of the community”. To encourage cycling, 25 cycle stands will be installed.
“It is considered the proposal will not result in any negative impacts on the amenity of existing residents in terms of noise, light spill, air pollution, dust, loss of light, over-shadowing, loss of privacy or any other disturbance,” the report stated.
“DfI (Department for Infrastructure) Roads have been consulted to provide comment on issues regarding access and road safety. No objections have been forthcoming.”
The Deputy Mayor, Bannside DUP Councillor Tyler Hoey proposed accepting the recommendation to approve the application seconded by the Mayor, Bannside Ulster Unionist Cllr Jackson Minford.
Following a vote, planning permission was approved unanimously.
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter