Rathlin plans face refusal
INDEPENDENT councillor Paudie McShane has asked for an office meeting with planners who are of the opinion to refuse a new one-and-a-half-storey house 60 metres east of the Kelp Store at Church Bay on Rathlin Island.
Planners say there are no over-riding reasons why the development is essential in a rural location and said if permitted it will result in suburban-style build-up.
Planners say the proposed building is inappropriate for the site and if permitted will mar the distinction between the defined settlement limit of Church Bay and the surrounding countryside and would result in urban sprawl.
Officials further state that if permitted it would adversely affect the setting of a listed building and they say the site lies in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.