'Major milestone' for £3.5m Ballyclare sports hub as planning permission granted
Planning permission has been granted by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee for a new £3.5m multi-sports hub at Ballyclare Rugby Club.
A proposal for an upgrade of existing sports facilities at the 12-hectare Doagh Road site to provide synthetic pitches, replacement floodlighting; canopy covering for a cricket training area was given the go-ahead on Monday.
Planning officer Alicia Leathem said the planned development includes an upgrade of an existing rugby pitch to 3G multi-sports pitch with 10-metre-high ball-stop netting proposed behind each of the goals and partial repositioning and height increase of floodlights, from 12 to 15 metres in height.
An upgrade of the hockey pitch to 2G is proposed with eight 15-metre collapsible floodlights around the periphery. The enclosure of a cricket training area with a canopy measuring 47.2 metres by 18.3 metres and height of approximately 6.5 metres is included. The cricket training area is also to be enclosed by a three-metre-high boundary fence.
The officer stated the principle of upgrade to facilities was considered “acceptable”, adding the proposed design and lay-out were “typical of sports facilities”.
She indicated the department had received one letter of objection expressing concern over potential impact on ecology and on residential amenity due to floodlighting.
The officer advised there would be a condition permitting use of floodlighting until 10pm. She added there would be no change to access arrangements at the club and additional traffic would be “limited to specific periods within the rugby club calendar”.
A committee report said: “Ballyclare Rugby Club have carried out extensive research on the need for additional sports-based facilities within Ballyclare with the research concluding the need for the enhancement of the existing facilities.”
Threemilewater Ulster Unionist Councillor Stephen Cosgrove proposed accepting the recommendation to approve the application, seconded by Airport DUP Cllr Matthew Magill. Following a vote in which five councillors were in favour with one against, planning permission was granted.
In a statement published on social media, Ballyclare Rugby Club said: “We are delighted to confirm that planning permission has now been granted for The Cloughan Project – a major milestone in the journey to deliver a new £3.5m multi-sport hub for Ballyclare.
“This marks the culmination of several years of sustained work by our volunteer committee, whose commitment and persistence have driven this project forward to this point. Their efforts, alongside the continued support and engagement of Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council and Sport NI, have been instrumental in reaching this stage.
“From its inception, this project has received unanimous cross-party political and community support. We are grateful to have the backing of our elected representatives as we work to deliver something truly special for the people of Ballyclare.
“The need for enhanced sports facilities in Ballyclare and the surrounding areas has never been greater. This development will not only support the continued growth of Ballyclare RFC, but will also provide high-quality facilities for local schools, other sports clubs, and the wider community – creating opportunities for participation, health, and social connection across all age groups.
“With planning approval now secured, we believe there is a clear opportunity to progress to the next stage and deliver a facility that reflects both the scale of demand and the ambition for sport and community provision in this area.”
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter