Chimney Corner FC coffee dock proposal attracts more than 290 letters of support

Planning officer Ashleigh Wilson said that 293 letters of support have been received by the planning department.

The proposal is also for external seating, landscaped accessible entrance to football grounds and coffee dock, new club office and registration point and equipment stores, including proposed changing facilities within a shipping container at the club which is located in a rural area at Castle Road, Antrim.

A committee report said: “The development comprises five shipping containers positioned to create a courtyard-style arrangement. Within this courtyard, an outdoor seating area has been provided, partially sheltered by a teepee-style canopy.

"One of the shipping containers, positioned along the southern front boundary, operates as a coffee dock. The front elevation of this container incorporates a raised, decked pergola, which provides additional external seating.”

The committee report also stated that with regards to the proposed coffee dock, policy “establishes a town centre first approach for the location of retailing and other main town centre uses, including cultural, community, leisure, entertainment, and business”.

The planning officer said that the facility has “potential to attract a customer base separate to the football club”,

She said that the recommendation is to refuse planning permission.

Speaking at the meeting, Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM who is not a committee member but had speaking rights, said: “Since becoming operational, the coffee dock has significantly contributed to the development of Chimney Corner Social Club.”

He continued to say that since the club relocated to Castle Road, it has lost some “sense of community” but the coffee dock has “helped bridge that gap”.

He noted the overwhelming letters of support, highlighting the benefits that the coffee dock provides “not just to the club but the entire local community” and asked the committee to consider if it is an “ancillary part of the club or a standalone cafe”.

"I think it is clear for people of the area it has become the heartbeat of the club,” he commented.

Antrim SDLP Councillor Roisin Lynch, who also had speaking rights, said that the club is “deeply rooted in the community”.

She noted that the social club has more than 350 members and the addition of the coffee dock has supported this growth.

She added that it cannot “reasonably be placed elsewhere as it is integral to the function of the club”. She highlighted the number of letters of support received by planners.

Dunsilly Sinn Fein Councillor Annie O’Lone, who had speaking rights, stated: “Refusal will have a detrimental knock-on effect on the operation of the well-established Chimney Corner Football Club.”

She went on to say she believed that not granting planning permission would be “catastrophic”.

Cllr O’Lone commented that there have been no complaints from neighbours, the club is located 0.6 miles from the settlement boundary, noting that the town has expanded outwards.

A planning consultant highlighted the “changing needs of a football social club”. He told the meeting that the facility is an ancillary part of the club, only works in the grounds of the club and “in no way is this a standalone entity”.

He said that the coffee dock represents “a social and community outreach of the club”. He commented that since the inception of this facility, the club has seen “a significant increase” in membership and growth. He also said it is “an integral and ancillary part of the existing football club”.

Applicant Declan Donaghy said the club had been lacking a social environment without alcohol involved and the facility had been set up for the benefit of club members.

He described it as “a relatively small development that has made a big difference and one which clearly functions as part of the club”. He went on to say that the opening hours are “completely linked” to the club.

Threemilewater DUP Councillor Sam Flanagan proposed deferring the application, seconded by Glengormley DUP Councillor Alison Bennington. Councillors voted for a deferral.